Headdress of married Khalkha women: tradition and decoration
National costumes have always been a rich source of inspiration for doll authors. The variety of styles, colours and patterns allows artists to create unique and memorable works of art. Dolls in national costumes are not only beautiful, but also carry rich cultural information. They can tell about the traditions, customs and history of the people to whom they belong.
The Khalkha people living in Mongolia have a rich and distinctive culture, and the traditional headdress of married women is an integral part of this culture. This headdress, known as "gems", is an intricate and beautiful design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has deep symbolic meaning.
The basis of the hairstyle "gems" is a small cap called "tohun". It is usually made of fabric or felt, often in bright colours. The cap is decorated with coral, turquoise, glass beads, beads and other decorative elements.
The hair of a married woman is divided into two parts and styled in the form of "horns" with special large silver or bamboo hairpins. This part of the hairstyle is called "bogtokh". It is believed that the two "horns" symbolise divine power and protection, which protects the woman and her family.
The lower part of the hair is braided into braids. Rich women often covered their braids with covers with silver plates stitched on them with filigree ornaments and inclusions of semi-precious stones. This part of the headdress was called "khashmag".
The headdress "samotsveti" is a symbol of marriage, fertility and well-being. It also reflects a woman's social status in society. The richer and more noble a woman was, the more elaborate and richly decorated was her headdress.
Nowadays, the "gems" headdress is mostly worn by elderly women in rural Mongolia, but it is still an important cultural symbol of the country. It can be seen at national holidays, weddings and other special events.
Images taken from public sources.
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