The original costumes belong to different regions and mainly date back to the end of the 19th century, early 20th century
TIRANA, Nov. 8 – Fifty traditional folk costumes from all over Albania but also Albanian-speaking regions abroad are being displayed in an exhibition at the National Museum of History in Tirana. The exhibition showcases the variety of Albanian traditional costumes with the inner world of a vital people which has masterfully carved in its clothing it spirit and the colours of its character, organizers say. The exhibition features costumes from northern, central and southern Albania, but also neighboring Kosovo, Macedonia, and Kosovo. Costumes from the Albanian Arberesh community in Italy and the Chameria region in current Greece are also part of the exhibition.
Aferdita Onuzi, the exhibition’s curator said the original costumes belong to different regions and mainly date back to the end of the 19th century, early 20th century. “Through their fashion we understand more about these regions, their economic and cultural condition,” said Onuzi.
The exhibition, which is also part of events commemorating Albania’s 100th anniversary of independence will be open from Nov. 7 to 28.
Traditional Albanian clothing includes more than 200 different kinds of clothing 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.
Xhubleta
There are two different types of Xhubleta (skirt). The first one was worn in the north eastern region of Puk롡nd is more tight to the body. The number of strips is smaller and the length of the strips is also shorter than the strips on the second type. While the first version has about 5-6 strips, the second type has 14-18 more narrow strips (about 4-6 cm broad), creating a much more undulated skirt.
Xhamadan
A xhamadan is a traditional vest, which is worn by Albanian men
Qeleshe
A qeleshe (Plis) is a traditional skull cap, which is worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arberesh villages in Italy. The shape of the cap changes with the region.
Fustanella
The fustanella is a traditional skirt-like garment worn by men of many nations in the Balkans. Similar to the kilt, the fustanella is part of traditional Albanian, Greek and Macedonian dress. The dress was adopted by the Royal Guard of Albania (1924-1939).
Ethnographic pavilion not restored yet
The ethnographic pavilion at the National Museum of History, which has been under restoration since more than one year will not be open to visitors during the centenary celebrations. Its director Luan Malltezi says the pavilion’s inauguration has been delayed because of problems with tenders,
Around 1,700 objects have been selected to be put on display in the new ethnographic pavilion at the National History Museum in Tirana which is being reshaped. The ethnographic pavilion features the traditional garments and costumes of the various Albanian regions (19th-20th centuries) such as Tirana, Zadrima, Korca, Gjirokastra, Kukes, Laberia, and 32 garments of the Arberesh community in Italy.
The photographic material is miscellaneous and displays different figures of Albanian and foreign history and culture wearing traditional Albanian costumes. Among them are late Mother Teresa, writers such as the Frash쳩 brothers, Faik Konica, heroes Shote and Azem Galica, the famous British traveler, artist and writer Edit Durham, Lord Byron, etc.
In this pavilion, handicraft objects are exhibited together with a collection of weapons.
