DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68501#0430
410
THE TOILETTE IN ALBANIA.
“An Arnaout girl, in costly garb, walks with graceful pride.”
This verse of an Arnaout, or Albanian son^, shews
that a love of display is not erroneously attributed to
the females of this nation.
The difference between the habiliments of the
higher and lower orders consists only in the splen-
dour of the material, the form of the garments being
always the same. A napkin is fastened tight over
the forehead, falling to the shoulders behind, and on
each side in front, as far as the chin. Quantities of
silver or gold coins hang about the forehead and
under the chin, and are braided into the hair, which
hangs in long tresses down to the calves of the legs.
The shift is embroidered very richly in front, and
entirely covers the arms. The sash or girdle is of
blue stuff. An embroidered jacket is worn over the
shift; it reaches to the elbows, and is trimmed with
fringe: another rich jacket is also worn, which is
rather shorter than that beneath it, and has no sleeves.
They wear yellow boots and slippers.
The Albanian soldiers are generally splendidly
attired; the ornaments on their knees and ankles
being of silver filigree, and the sandals studded with
silver stars. The officers frequently wear jackets of
the richest velvet, embossed with gold and silver, till
they are as stiff as a coat of mail.
Mr. Morrit, describing one of the chieftains of
the country of Maina, says : “ He wore a close vest,
with open sleeves, of white and gold embroidery, and
a short black velvet mantle, edged with sables; the
sash which held his pistols and his poignard, was a
shawl of red and gold. His light-blue trousers were
THE TOILETTE IN ALBANIA.
“An Arnaout girl, in costly garb, walks with graceful pride.”
This verse of an Arnaout, or Albanian son^, shews
that a love of display is not erroneously attributed to
the females of this nation.
The difference between the habiliments of the
higher and lower orders consists only in the splen-
dour of the material, the form of the garments being
always the same. A napkin is fastened tight over
the forehead, falling to the shoulders behind, and on
each side in front, as far as the chin. Quantities of
silver or gold coins hang about the forehead and
under the chin, and are braided into the hair, which
hangs in long tresses down to the calves of the legs.
The shift is embroidered very richly in front, and
entirely covers the arms. The sash or girdle is of
blue stuff. An embroidered jacket is worn over the
shift; it reaches to the elbows, and is trimmed with
fringe: another rich jacket is also worn, which is
rather shorter than that beneath it, and has no sleeves.
They wear yellow boots and slippers.
The Albanian soldiers are generally splendidly
attired; the ornaments on their knees and ankles
being of silver filigree, and the sandals studded with
silver stars. The officers frequently wear jackets of
the richest velvet, embossed with gold and silver, till
they are as stiff as a coat of mail.
Mr. Morrit, describing one of the chieftains of
the country of Maina, says : “ He wore a close vest,
with open sleeves, of white and gold embroidery, and
a short black velvet mantle, edged with sables; the
sash which held his pistols and his poignard, was a
shawl of red and gold. His light-blue trousers were