On the territory of modern Buryatia people have lived since the Paleolithic period, as evidenced by archaeological finds. That is, even 20-30 thousand years before our era, people were able to save life in difficult natural conditions. The national costume also contributed to this to a large extent. Buryats from the beginning of centuries used for clothing what was in their everyday life: animal skins, their hair, horse hair and, a little later, natural fabrics.
Costume history
Different tribes lived on both sides of Lake Baikal, having their own ethnographic features. There were many Mongolian clans, Yakuts, Tungus, Tofalars and other nationalities. Buryats as a people took shape only from the middle of the 17th century after joining the Russian Empire. Everything that has been preserved in museums and private collections dates back to this time. The national costume has preserved its original appearance. The Buryats were mainly engaged in cattle breeding, wandered a lot. Skills related to hunting and hiding were handed down from generation to generation.
All this is reflected in the costume: not only ancient dressing gowns from wool and leather shoes were found, but also silver and gold jewelry for women dating back centuries.
Women's and men's clothing
By the look of the suit, you can immediately determine who the clothes are intended for - a man or a woman. In addition, for each period of life there were differences. Boys and girls, boys and girls, married women and the elderly wore very different clothes. It combines all types of suits with maximum comfort and excellent protection from the cold.
Buryats are the indigenous people of Siberia. Their costume was greatly influenced by the climate. Basis - tanned skins, fur, wool, horsehair. Later, with the emergence of trade relations with China and Asia, silk, brocade, chesuch, velvet were added. Noble metal threads were used in some areas. People living in these parts will be told everything about the owner of the national costume. Buryats are able to accurately and concisely outline the main circumstances of human life.
Men's suit
Buryat clothes of both men and women are intended primarily for nomadic life in the saddle. The features of the cut adapted the products so that they could spend many hours on horseback without fatigue and, if necessary, spend the night in the open.
A shirt made of natural fabric (most often made of cotton) and tight trousers made of rough leather are worn directly on the body. In such trousers any road is not terrible. The shoes were made from the skin of foals - for winter, and for summer weaved from horsehair, and the leather sole was simply sewn on.
A winter (degel) or summer (terlig) bathrobe was worn on top. The dagel was made from sheepskin; it was possible to decorate it with velvet or other fabric. The summer dressing gown was made of any natural fabric.
Features cut degela
The dressing gown should fit to the body so as not to leave room for cold air. The sizes of a dressing gown are individual, but there are obligatory parts:
- back;
- sides;
- bodice;
- front;
- upper floor;
- lower floor.
The body is completely encircled by a dressing gown, and the floors can be used as a bed: one lie down and the other take cover. It makes life easier for the national costume. Buryats are a very practical people, and every detail of the costume passed a centuries-old test. Be sure to wear a belt. The gowned robe formed a pocket in which a bowl was worn to always have at hand personal tableware. The bowl was worn in a fabric case, smoking accessories were hung on the belt.
What does a Buryat national costume look for women?
The look of the costume completely depends on the age for which it is intended. Girls wear a long one-piece robe, gird it. This emphasizes the flexibility of the girl's figure. With the onset of this girl's age - about 15 years - the cut of the dressing gown changes. The dressing gown is cut along the waistline, a beautiful sash is put on, and a mandatory piece of women's clothing appears on top - a sleeveless jacket.
Sleeveless jacket has a different look in married and unmarried women. All women were required to wear a short sleeveless jacket in the presence of men. A covered back is one of the main signs of decency for women.
The puberty of the girl was indicated by a silver heart in a headpiece. Girls wishing to get married wore two round silver plates on their belts. Devices for personal care were attached to these plates - knives, scissors, and earwigs.
National costumes of the peoples of Russia always emphasize the feminine dignity. Buryats are no exception: a woman in a national costume looks great. So, a married woman dressed in a prefabricated skirt and sweater. This suit made it possible to look good during pregnancy and lactation.
Clothing for the elderly
The main thing in these suits is convenience and practicality, as well as excellent protection from the cold. They all wore the same, only the cut was more free, and the number of jewelry was reduced. The Buryat folk costume also included shoes tailored to individual standards. Two types of shoes were used: similar to stocking and shoe. The ugg boots that have come into fashion not so long ago are stylized folk shoes, which in the original were intended for old people whose feet were frozen.
Shoes were supplemented with stockings to the knees, knitted from the wool of a sheep.
The hat was an obligatory part of the costume, they sewed it from natural fur, most often otters. The preferred shape is conical, although researchers have identified more than 50 species.
