The B. Mailin Museum of Local Lore has organized an object exhibition from the museum’s stock collections entitled “The Thread’s Path: from saukele to takiya”, dedicated to traditional Kazakh headdresses. The exhibition reveals the significance of these elements of the national costume, which for centuries have accompanied a person from birth to adulthood, reflecting his age, social status, marital status and aesthetic ideas of the people. There are more than 10 ethnic accessories. The central place in the exhibition is occupied by the saukele, a solemn female headdress of the bride, a symbol of purity, beauty and the beginning of a new life path. Richly decorated with embroidery, ornaments, braid and veil, the saukele was one of the most significant elements of the wedding ceremony. A continuation of the “thread path”, the exhibition presents takii (skullcaps) — everyday and festive headdresses worn by girls, women and men. Their variety of shapes, colors and ornaments reflect regional peculiarities, the skill of folk craftsmen and the continuity of traditions.
Headdresses are decorated with national Kazakh ornaments (koshar muiz and other plant and zoomorphic motifs), made of velvet, felt, fur and decorated with braid, beads, silver elements and feathers.
