Traditional Costume & Jewellery

Traditional clothes and finery provide considerable information about the workings of a society. Clothes indicate whether societies are settled o

r nomadic, and are a source of information about historical events and ethnological origins. For example, in Yöruk or Turkoman villages, one can tell whether a woman is engaged, married or a widow from the way in which she does her hair. From the earliest times, clothes worn within a tribe would define a person’s social status. More than an obligation, this was an understanding carried on by tradition.

Daily, work and special day clothes are different. Hair styles during a wedding and after the bridal chamber differ. In markets, it is easy to identify which village people live in just from their clothes.

Today in Anatolia, there are differences even between the clothing worn in different neighborhoods of the same village. It is therefore inadvisable for the art historian, sociologist, folk dance arranger or designer to speak in terms of "Traditional Turkish costume.” Research led by sociologists from the Folk Culture Research and Development General Directorate of the Ministry of Culture has revealed that Anatolia possesses a wide range of clothing.

Belly dancing is very popular in Turkey. It is a very old art form still enjoyed by Turks of all classes and ages. It may be the de

scendant of ancient Anatolian fertility dances. Belly dance costumes available in the Grand Bazaar consist of head scarf, Turkish/Arabic vest, decorated bra, separate sleeves, hipband and circle skirt. Garments are traditionally decorated with imitation coins.

Along with

embroidery used in traditional costumes, jewellery is also commonly used as an accessory. The concept of the evil eye is widespread, and one can observe many amulets to ward it off in peoples’ clothes and hair. All the civilizations which have existed in Anatolia have produced artistic works made from precious or semi-precious stones and metal. Turkoman jewellery is an excellent example of original methods that were brought to Anatolia by the Seljuks. In the Ottoman period, jewellery gained importance in parallel to the development of the empire.