Sharovary

Ukrainian Cossacks wearing sharovary

Sharovary (Ukrainian: шаровари) are a kind of men's pants, part of the stereotypical national clothes of Ukrainian Cossacks. The trousers are fitted at the waist and ankles, and loose at the hips and legs. They are often accompanied by a wide silk belt.

Similar pants in other cultures are Sirwal, Salwar, Shalwar kameez, etc., and these are called sharovary or shalvary in Russian and Ukrainian.

The presence of sharovary in the dress of the Ukrainian Cossacks of Zaporizhia is noted by German ambassador Erich Lassota in the 16th century.[citation needed] A comprehensive description of Cossack dress is included in the 1651 book "Description d'Ukranie…" (Description of Ukraine...) by Polish-enlisted French-born cartographer and military engineer Guillaume Le Vasseur de Beauplan. Its translation mentions "sharovary", but narrow linen pants (d'un caleçó) were specified in the original instead.[1]

A 2016 parade of Ukrainian national dress

Today sharovary is an important element of the Ukrainian culture.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Оксана Косміна: запорозькі козаки носили не шаровари, а вузькі полотняні штани". Історична правда. Retrieved 2023-03-14.

Literature

  • Nikolayeva T. History of costume. - Kyiv, Lybid 1996