This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in Alemannic Wikipedia. (September 2010) After translating, {{Translated|als|Albanische Volkstrachten}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance. Translation instructions

A typical Gheg Albanian costume

A traditional Albanian costume from the region of Labëria

Part of a series on
Albanians
Nation
Albania
By region or country
Australia · Bulgaria Croatia · Germany Greece · Italy/Arbëreshë Kosovo · Macedonia Montenegro · Romania Serbia · Sweden Switzerland · Ukraine · United States
Subgroups
Arbëreshë · Arvanites · Souliotes · Cham · Arbanasi
Albanian culture
Art · Cinema · Dress · Literature · Music Sport · Cuisine · Mythology · Epic Poetry
Varieties of Albanian
Gheg · Tosk · Arvanitika Arbëresh · Cham
Religion
Islam Orthodox Roman Catholicism Protestantism Albanian Byzantine Catholic Church Kosovo Protestant Evangelical Church Italo-Albanian Catholic Church Judaism in Albania Orthodox Church in America Albanian Archdiocese
History
Origins · History
v t e

Traditional Albanian clothing (Albanian: veshjet tradicionale shqiptare, veshjet kombëtare, veshjet popullore or kostumet kombëtare) includes more than 200 different kind of clothings in all Albania and Albanian inhabited lands. This is due to the division the Albanian principalities in the Middle Ages. To this day, some conservative old men and women mainly from the North wear traditional clothing in their daily lives. Instead, older women from the South usually wear all black outfits. Almost every region in Albania has its own traditional dress with women clothing being particularly colorful and rich in detail.

Parts[link]

The Albanian Dress consist of the following elements:

Headgear[link]

Men[link]

The following headdresses are in use for men:^[1]

• Qeleshe [cɛˈlɛʃɛ] or Plisi: a type of hat worn by men of Northern Albanian and Kosova. In central Albania (Tirana, Durrës, Kavaja) it is cone-shaped, and in North Albania and Kosovo round.
• Albanian hat (French: Chapeau albanois)^[2] worn typically during the 15th to 18th centuries^[3] and immortalized in Onufri's paintings
• Fez [fɛz]: a Turkish felt hat where upper flat manner un meischt red manner.
• Qylafë [ˈcylaf]: a woolen high hat worn in southern Albania.

For Women[link]

The following headdress are in use for women:^[4]

• Kapica [kaˈpitsa]: a headdress for women.
• Langi, other names include: peshqira, riza, marhamë, pashnik
• Lëvere [ləˈvɛɾɛ]: right shaped headdress.
• Kryqe [ˈkɾycɛ]: square shaped headdress.

Pants and upper body covers[link]

• Fustanella [fustaˈnɛɫa]: traditional skirt-like garment worn by men.
• Tirq [tiɾc]: long pant worn by man.
• Brekusha [bɾɛˈkuʃa]: for man and women.
• Xhubleta [dʒuˈblɛta]: Only worn by women.
• Mbështjellëse- Only worn by women.

Shoes[link]

Opingat

• Opingat [ɔˈpiŋɡat]: Art Sandals

Xhaqete[link]

A Xhaqete is a traditional vest, which is worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Brez[link]

Brez are traditional belts, which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Çorape[link]

Çorape are traditional pants which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Opinga[link]

Opinga are traditional shoes which are worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Style in different locations[link]

South Albania[link]

South Albania has many branches that come from many cities on the South.

Labëria[link]

In the region of Labëria, the traditional costume for men is like the picture on the right. They use Qeleshe which is a type of hat worn on the head. Then they wear a short black jacket, followed by a white shirt with wide sleeves. They also have a kind of a belt which is red and black like the Albanian Flag. They have black pants with long white socks. For shoes, they wear Opinga which are worn in Albania, Romania and Serbia. The costumes are very colorful.

Gallery[link]

• 

  Albanian Fustanella

• 

  Lord Byron in Albanian Dress

• 

  Women clothing

• 

  A woman and a man from North Albania

• 

  Accessories

• 

  Women Dress from Southern Albania

• 

  Women clothing

• 

  Men and women's costumes

• 

  Accessories

• 

  Woman's upper body vest detail

• 

  Accessory Details

• 

  Accessory Details

References[link]

1. ^ Gjergji 2004: S. 191
2. ^ de La Curne de Sainte-Palaye, Jean-Baptiste (1875) (in French). Dictionnaire historique de l'ancien langage françois. Champion (T. 01-09). pp. 316–. http://books.google.com/books?id=1yZXAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA316. 
3. ^ Anamali, Skënder (2002) (in Albanian). Historia e popullit shqiptar në katër vëllime. I. Botimet Toena. p. 300. OCLC 52411919. 
4. ^ Gjergji 2004: S. 194

Further reading[link]

• Andromaqi, Gjergj (2004). Albanian Costumes Through the Centuries: Origin, Types, Evolution. Mësonjëtorja. ISBN 978-99943-614-4-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=vc3fAAAAMAAJ. 
• Andromaqi, Gjergji (2010). Albanian Clothing: Fustanella, Albanian Traditional Clothing, Qeleshe. Books, LLC. ISBN 978-1-158-32861-1. http://books.google.ca/books?id=F1tRbwAACAAJ. 
• Andromaqi, Gjerjgi (1999). Albanian Folk Costumes. Instituti i Kulturës Popullore, Departamenti Etnologjisë. ISBN 99927-654-6-1, 9789992765463. http://books.google.ca/books/about/Albanian_folk_costumes.html?id=43-DSwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y. 

See also[link]

• Arbëresh
• Fustanella
• Culture of Albania
• Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Clothing of Albania

• Albanian Costumes at Albanian-Folklore.com
• Albanian Folk Costumes in Early Postcards
• Traditional Albanian Costumes Group on Flickr.com
• Explorations in Folklore 3: My Albanian Journey
• Infoarkiv: Etnografia e rrezikuar (Albanian)

v t e Albania topics Index Outline Symbols Flag Coat of arms People Language List of Albanians Albanian diaspora Kosovo refugees Albanian Americans Arbëreshë people Arvanites Writers Enver Hoxha Mother Teresa Ismail Qemali Sali Berisha Skanderbeg Ismail Kadare History Origins Praevalitana Epirus Nova Middle Ages Albania under the Bulgarian Empire Albania under the Serbian Empire Principality of Arbër Kingdom of Albania Albanian Principalities in Middle Ages League of Lezhë Venetian Albania Ottoman Albania Albanian Pashaliks Massacre of the Albanian Beys Albanian National Awakening Revolts of 1833–1839 Revolt of 1843–1844 Revolt of 1847 League of Prizren League of Peja Revolt of 1910 Battle of Deçiq Independence Declaration Independent Albania Provisional Government of Albania Albania during the Balkan Wars Principality of Albania (1914–1925) Italian protectorate over Albania Vlora War Republic of Mirdita Albanian Republic (1925–1928) Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939) Albania under Italy (Invasion Colonization) Albania under Germany Resistance Communist Albania (1946–1992) Post-Communist Albania (since 1992) Timeline Politics Constitution Heads of State Prime Minister Parliament Political parties Elections (2007) Counties Districts Municipalities Foreign relations History of Kosovo Kosovo War Corruption LGBT rights Geography Cities: Tirana Geographical regions: Northern Mountain Range Southern Mountain Range Western Lowlands Central Mountain Range Mountains: Mount Dajti Golem Korab Dinaric Alps Mount Korab Tomorri Mountain Seas: Adriatic Sea Ionian Sea Rivers: Drin River Buna River Vjosë Black Drin Lakes: Lake Skadar Lake Ohrid Lake Prespa Lagoons: Karavasta Narta Plains: Myzeqe Korçë Plain Zadrima Capes: Cape of Gjuhëz Cape of Rodon National Parks: Butrint Lura Llogara Thethi Valbona Valley Shebenik-Jabllanica Fir of Hotova Karaburun-Sazan Economy Agriculture Albanian lek International rankings of Albania Telecommunications Transport Banks Rail Transport Tourism Military Military Air Force Rapid Reaction Brigade Naval Defense Forces Joint Forces Command Support Command Culture Languages Nationalism Literature Art Cinema Costume Cuisine Emigration Music Sports Smoking Holidays Religion Television Radio Mythology Epic Poetry Religion Islam Albanian Orthodox Church Roman Catholicism Protestanism Byzantine Catholicism Categories Archaeological sites Cities Communications Culture Economy Education Geography Government History Military People Politics Politicians Religion Society Sports Transport Albania stubs Buildings and structures Category Portal WikiProject

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2010)

Faroese folk dance club with some members in national costumes.

Folk costume (also regional costume, national costume, or traditional garments) expresses an identity through costume which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history, but can also indicate social, marital and/or religious status. Such costumes often come in two forms: one for everyday occasions, the other for festivals and formal wear.

Following the outbreak of romantic nationalism, the peasantry of Europe came to serve as models for all that appeared genuine and desirable. Their dress crystallised into so-called "typical" forms, and enthusiasts adopted it as part of their symbolism.

In areas where contemporary Western fashions have become usual, traditional garments are often worn at special events or celebrations, particularly those connected with cultural traditions, heritage, or pride.

In modern times there are instances where traditional garments are required by law, as in Bhutan, where the traditional Tibetan-style clothing of gho and kera for men, kira and toego for women, must be worn by all citizens—even those not of Tibetan heritage; or in Saudi Arabia, where women are required to wear the abaya in public.

Africa[link]

Kora player Toumani Diabate wearing a Senegalese kaftan

West Africa[link]

• Benin - lace Dashiki suit and Aso Oke Hat (male), lace Buba and wrapper set (female)
• Ghana - Kente cloth, Ghanaian smock, and Fila (male), Kente buba and skirt set and Kaftan (female)
• Liberia - Dashiki suit cats Kufi (male), Buba and skirt set, Buba and wrapper set, and Kaftan (female)
• Mali - Grand boubou and Kufi (male), Kaftan (female)
• Nigeria - Agbada and Isiagu (male), Buba and wrapper set (female), Fila, Aso Oke Hat
• Senegal - Senegalese kaftan and Kufi (male), Kaftan (female)

North Africa[link]

• Egypt - Galabeya
• Morocco - Djellaba (male), Fez hat, Takchita (female)
• Sudan - Jalabiyyah, Taqiyyah, and Turban (male), Toob, a cotton women's dress (female)

Horn of Africa[link]

• Ethiopia - Ethiopian suit (male), Ethiopian coffee dress (female)
• Somalia - Macawiis (male), Koofiyad (male), Jilbab (female), Dirac^{[disambiguation needed ]} (female)

East Africa[link]

• Kenya - Dashiki, Kanzu, and Kofia (male), Kanga and Kitenge (female)
• Rwanda - Kanzu (male), Mushanana (female)
• Tanzania - Kanzu, Dashiki, and Kofia (male), Kanga and Gowni (female)
• Uganda - Kanzu, Dashiki, and Kofia (male), Gomesi (female)

Southern Africa[link]

• South Africa - Afrikaners, Anglo-Africans: Slouch Hat, Bermuda shorts, khaki; Zulus, Xhosa, etc.: Madiba shirt, Dashiki, Zulu crown (isicholo)
• Zimbabwe - Safari shirt and Dashiki (male), Buba and skirt set (female)

Americas[link]

Peru

• Brazil - Each region has its own traditional costume
• Canada - Tuque, Anorak, Ceinture fléchée, Lumberjack uniform, Red Serge
• Chile - Huaso costume
• Colombia - Sombrero Vueltiao, ruana, white shirt, trousers and espadrilles (male), Sombrero Vueltiao, blouse, pollera and espadrilles (female)
• Cuba - Guayabera, Khaki pants, Panama hat or Fedora (male), Guayabera dress (female)
• Dominican Republic - Chacabana
• Guatemala - Huipil, Corte skirt, Tocado, Todosantero suit.
• Guyana - Shirt jacket (male), Booboo (female)
• Haiti - Karabela dress (female), Shirt jacket (male)
• Jamaica - Bandana skirt and peasant blouse (female), Bush jacket (male)
• Mexico - Charro suit, Guayabera, Huipil, Mariachi suit, Rebozo, Sarape, Sombrero
• Panama - Pollera
• Peru - Chullo, Poncho
• Puerto Rico - Guayabera, Pantalons, and Panama hat (male), Trajes (dress) (Female)
• St. Lucia - Madras dress (female)
• Trinidad - Shirt-jac (male), Booboo (female) and Carnival costumes
• United States - Various forms of Native American clothing. Western wear derived from original American pioneer garb is traditional dress in Texas, the Southwest, and many rural communities, including Cowboy Hats, Western shirts, boots, jeans, prairie skirts, and bolo ties. Traditional Southern wear includes white seersucker suits and string ties for men, and sun hats and large dresses for women. Patriotic historic American costume, especially in the East, includes clothing styles of the Plymouth Pilgrims, Founding Fathers of the United States, William Penn, or Minutemen. Summer residents of Nantucket will often wear Nantucket Reds. Amish and some sects of Mormon fundamentalism preserve traditional 19th century clothing styles for those groups.
• Venezuela - Liqui liqui, pelo e' guama hat.

Asia[link]

Central Asia[link]

• Kazakhstan - Chapan

East Asia[link]

Mongolian deel

• China - Hanfu (Han Chinese)，tangzhuang (the whole country)
• Japan - Kimono
• Korea - Hanbok
• Mongolia - Deel

South Asia[link]

Women in Sari

• Bangladesh - Sarong, long sleeved white shirt (male) and Sari (female)
• Sri Lanka - Dhoti and Lungi, Sarong, Sari
• Maldives - Dhivehi libaas (women) Sarong, long sleeved white shirt (men)
• Bhutan - Gho (male) and Kira (female)
• Nepal - Daura-Suruwal, (male) and Gunyou Cholo (female)
• Pakistan - Sherwani, Shalwar Kameez
• India - Nehru suit, Achkan, Dhoti, Kurta (male) and Sari (female), Shalwar Kameez, Khara Dupatta, Makhela-Chadar (in Assam) (female)

Southeast Asia and Pacific[link]

Indonesian girl wearing traditional Palembangese Songket

• Brunei - Baju Melayu (male), Baju Kurung, Baju Kebaya (female), Songket, Sarong
• Cambodia - Sampot, Apsara, Sabai.
• Hawaii - Hawaiian Shirt, Hawaiian Skirt
• Indonesia Every region has its own specific design of a national costume. - Javanese male: Kain Batik, Beskap, Blangkon, Sarong, Klompen; Javanese female: Kain Batik, Kebaya, Klompen; Malay male: Baju Melayu, Songkok/Peci; Malay female: Baju Kurung, Kain Songket; Lampungese female: Kain Tapis; Sumba male and female: Kain Tenun Ikat; Batakese female: Kain Ulos; koteka
• Malaysia - Baju Melayu (male), Baju Kurung (female), Baju Kebaya (female), Songket, Sarong
• Myanmar - Longyi
• New Zealand - Māori Flax Skirts
• Philippines - Barong Tagalog (male) and Baro't saya (female)
• Thailand - Suea Phra Ratchathan (male) and Thai Chakkri, Thai Boromphiman, Thai Siwalai, Thai Dusit, Thai Chakkraphat, Thai Amarin, Thai Chitlada, Thai Ruean Ton (female), Sampot
• Tonga - tupenu and ta'ovala
• Vietnam - Áo dài, Áo tứ thân, Yếm, Áo bà ba, Ao Ngu Than (female) Tay/Thai (female) and (male) And Áo gấm (male) Conical Asian hat And Nón quai thao (female)

Europe[link]

Traditional kroj from Slovakia

Andalusian folk costumes from Spain

Tricana from Portugal

• Albania - Albanian Traditional Clothing
• Austria - Tracht, Dirndl
• Bohemia - Kroje
• Bulgaria - Nosia
• Croatia - Croatian national costume, Lika cap, Sibenik cap
• England - Morris costumes in some rural areas, flat caps in the North, bowler hat with pinstripe suit, tweed cloth Norfolk jacket, Barbour, and tattersall shirts in rural areas, Pearly kings and queens in East End of London, Court uniform.
• Faroe Islands - Føroysk klæði
• Finland - Every region has its own specific design of a national costume.
• France - Breton shirt, Beret, Alsatian costume
• Georgia - Chokha (Every region has its own specific design of Chokha)
• Germany - Every region has its own specific design of a national costume. Examples for Bavaria: Tracht, Lederhosen, Dirndl
• Greece - Fustanella, Peplos, Chiton
• Hungary - Dolman, Pellisse
• Iceland - Þjóðbúningurinn
• Ireland - Aran sweater, Grandfather shirt, Flat cap, Irish walking hat, Aran Island Tam, Leine (in Ulster)
• Italy - Italian folk dance costumes, Tarantella costumes
• Macedonia - Macedonian national costume
• Malta - Għonnella (Faldetta)
• Moravia - Kroje
• Netherlands - Dutch cap, sabot
• Norway - Bunad; (Sami) Gákti, Luhkka
• Poland - Kontusz, Czapka
• Portugal - Every region has its own specific design of a national costume. Nazarena and minhota are two examples.
• Romania - Romanian dress
• Ancient Rome - Toga, Stola
• Russia - Sarafan, Kokoshnik, Kosovorotka, Ushanka, Valenki
• Serbia - Serbian dress, Šajkača, Opanci
• Scotland - Highland dress: Kilt, tam o'shanter, doublet, trews, Aboyne dress, Brogues or ghillies
• Sicily - Coppola (cap), black or dark brown Waistcoat
• Slovakia - Kroj (embroidered traditional dress)
• Spain - every autonomous region has its own national costume.
• Sweden - Sverigedräkten; 18th century: Nationella dräkten; (Sami) Gákti, Luhkka
• Ukraine - Vyshyvanka, Sharovary, Żupan, Ukrainian wreath
• Wales - Traditional Welsh costume, Welsh hat

Greater Middle East[link]

President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai wearing his traditional Pashtun clothes and a karakul hat in 2003.

• Afghanistan - Kurta (male) and Shalwar Kameez (female), Burqa, Turban
• Arab world - Abaya, Fez, Keffiyeh, Taqiyah, Thawb, Hijab (by Muslims)
• Iran - Chador, Giveh, Galesh

• Israel - Tembel hat, Biblical sandals, Jewish religious clothing
• Turkey - Fez (male), Yashmak (female), Islak (long shirt), and Shalwar (pants)

See also[link]

• Ceremonial clothing in Western cultures

Gallery[link]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it.

Notes[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: National costumes

Rona Nishliu (Serbo-Croatian: Rona Nišliju^[1]; born August 25, 1986 in Titova Mitrovica, Yugoslavia - present-day Kosovo^[2]) is a Kosovo-Albanian singer and radio presenter. Nishliu represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan where she placed 5th and achieved the best placement for Albania to date.^[3][4] She became citizen of Albania on 12 January 2012 with a decree of the President of Albania Bamir Topi.^[5]

Early life and career[link]

Early life and beginnings[link]

Rona was raised in her birth town. At the age of thirteen her family moved to Pristina due the political issues in her hometown. She was a contestant on Albanian Idol in 2004 and placed in the top five. She then worked on Radio Blue Sky in Pristina as a presenter^[6]

Eurovision 2012[link]

Nishliu represents Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan after winning the national selection on December 29, 2011 with the entry Suus.^[4] She is the first singer from Kosovo to represent Albania in the contest. Because of the Qafa e Vishës bus tragedy, RTSH deferred the first semifinal by more than 2 hours on May 22, resulting in low ratings during Rona's appearance.^[7] It did not affect Nishliu's own participation in the contest, as she got second place in the semi-final and advanced to the finals. Albania used its jury votes to vote for the other 17 countries in the semifinal, and it used the jury votes again on May 26.^[8]RTK also did not air highlights from the first semifinal due to the bus crash. She ended up winning fifth place in the final with 146 points - Albania's best result to date.^[9]

Image & Style[link]

In Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro she is known as a pop singer/musician. The audience in Pristina and Tirana know her also as an experimental jazz singer. Her interpretation is characterized with nuances of soul music influences as well. Her vocal range and interpretative power are her strongest points^{[citation needed]}.

Charities[link]

Rona Nishliu is depicted for her humanitarian spirit, taking part in numerous humanitarian concerts for the people in the need. While being a student she organized few Humanitarian Concerts including the one entitled to help displaced Kosovo Albanian families of Kosovska Mitrovica living in poverty. In 2009 she took place as a guest lecturer in UNDP Kosovo's activity on Awareness Raising on the Importance of Volunteerism for the Youngsters in Vučitrn^{[citation needed]}. Rona is an activist of the National Association of Autism in Kosovo, she is also a Chairperson of the Institute for Sustainability and Development of Youth in Kosovo^{[citation needed]}.

Discography[link]

• Flakaresha (with Vesa Luma and Teuta Kurti)
• Të Lashë
• Shenja
• Eja
• Veriu
• A ka arsy (Ft. Bim Bimma)
• Shko pastro pas saj
• Zonja Vdekje
• Suus

External links[link]

• Rona Nishliu on Facebook
• Rona Nishliu on Twitter

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rona Nishliu

v t e Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest   Participation 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013   Artists 2000s Anjeza Shahini Ledina Çelo Luiz Ejlli Frederik Ndoci Olta Boka Kejsi Tola 2010s Juliana Pasha Aurela Gaçe Rona Nishliu   Songs 2000s "The Image of You" "Tomorrow I Go" "Zjarr e ftohtë" "Hear My Plea" "Zemrën e lamë peng" "Carry Me in Your Dreams" 2010s "It's All About You" "Feel the Passion" "Suus" (Note: Entries scored out are when Albania did not compete)