Ak Kalpak Day in Kyrgyzstan (05/03)

On March 5, Kyrgyzstan celebrates Ak Kalpak Day (Ak kalpak kunu) – is a holiday in honor of the national headdress of the Kyrgyz people – white cap, established by the resolution of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) of Kyrgyzstan dated June 29, 2016 № 825-VI, in order to preserve the significance of the national headdress. In order, thereby, to support national traditions and develop a sense of pride of the Kyrgyz people for their culture.

Unofficially, Ak Kalpaka Day began to be celebrated in 2011. The initiator of the establishment of this holiday was the famous director in the country Rysbek Zhabirov. According to him, Ak kalpak, as one of the national symbols, should not be forgotten by the next generations, which is why it should be awarded its own separate holiday date. And the fifth of March –, one of the first spring days when snowdrops bloom and spring comes, is chosen as the most suitable day. Every year the new holiday gained more and more popularity in the country, and in 2016 it received official status.

Since ancient times, Ak Kalpak has been considered the traditional male headdress of the Kyrgyz, the heritage of its ancestors, and contains a deep national philosophy. Its shape and patterns have not changed for years and have been passed down from generation to generation. Using them, the Kyrgyz learned about the age and status of the owner of the headdress. And until now this ancient Kyrgyz headdress is very popular in the Republic. It is presented to the heroes of the occasion, where people go to work, visit, and on holidays.

By the way, currently the tradition of donating Ak kalpak has even entered the state etiquette – they are given to foreign honored guests. When appointing or electing officials, officials are also honored with this headdress, and the dress uniform of Kyrgyz athletes must include it at international competitions.

Ak kalpak – symbol of mountains and cleanliness. Its shape resembles the snowy peaks of mountainous Kyrgyzstan. The national epic «Manas» says that the « Kyrgyz – are a people wearing a white kalpak, the top of which is white, like the peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains, and the base of the – is dark, like their footsteps». Therefore, the attitude towards Ak kalpak is special – it should be kept clean, you should not throw it or twist it, but you should remove it with only two hands and place it in a special place or next to you. It cannot be donated or sold, but can only be inherited. It was believed that along with a lost or given headdress, a person was deprived of his dignity, intelligence and piety.

Although Kyrgyz Ak kalpaks are varied in cut, they are mainly sewn from four wedges, expanding downwards. The sides of the wedges are not stitched together, allowing the fields to be raised or lowered. The patterns are traditionally embroidered with silk threads, the fields are most often torn with black velvet, and the top is decorated with a brush that hangs from the front. Behind the external simplicity of this headdress lies centuries of proven convenience and practicality.

In Kyrgyz culture, Ak kalpak was perhaps the most democratic headdress (Photo: © okiela/Photobank Photodjenika)

In Kyrgyz culture, Ak kalpak was perhaps the most democratic headdress. It was worn by all men without exception – from khan to poor, from young men to old people. They differed only in shape and color, which spoke of the social and family status, financial situation and age of the owner. For example, among representatives of the nobility or artists they were taller than those worn by ordinary people. Ak kalpaks «on exit» were made of expensive thin felt and good velvet and decorated with special patterns.

Today, in workshops in Kyrgyzstan, these hats are made in different styles, from festive to everyday, for men of all ages – from children to elders. There are about 80 types of Ak kalpak, which differ in shape, degree of complexity of manufacture, meaning and practicality. But always real Ak kalpak is sewn only from natural felt, which is made from freshly processed peeled, combed, white fine-wool wool. It is because of the dense felt made from natural wool that it warms you in the cold, cools you in the heat, and does not allow moisture to pass through in the rain. Easy to assemble, does not lose shape, so it is convenient to hold it in your hands or carry it with you.

Despite the fact that Ak kalpak is an integral part of Kyrgyz culture and history, in recent years it has been worn only on rare ceremonial occasions. In order to popularize traditional headdress and support national traditions, the authorities established Ak Kalpaka Day as an official holiday in 2016.

Every year on this day in the Republic, especially in the capital – of Bishkek, festive events – folk festivals, fairs, concerts, flash mobs are held. Many educational and cultural events dedicated to Ak kalpak are held in educational institutions. Members of the country's parliament always come to meetings wearing national headdresses. Many Kyrgyz men dress him for work, school or just outside on this day.

For example, in 2015, the Road Patrol Service – was added to the event to popularize Ak Kalpak; instead of issuing fines, traffic police officers gave violators these hats on March 5. And in 2016, students of the Kyrgyz-Turkish University «Manas» presented the largest national headdress in Kyrgyzstan, the height of which reached 2.7 m, to residents and guests of the capital for the holiday, and staged a festive flash mob.

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