Kelaghayi

What it is

This garment is a square silk scarf featuring special printed patterns. Artisans weave thin silk threads on a loom and boil them into shape. They use vegetable dyes and wooden blocks to stamp designs onto the fabric. The material keeps the wearer cool in summer and warm in winter. Making a single scarf takes two days and involves four male specialists: a weaver, dyer, moulder, and ornamental master.

Marriage customs

The scarf holds deep meaning for engagements and weddings. If a woman gives a kelaghayi to a man, she accepts his marriage proposal. For the henna party that follows, she wears a red kelaghayi. Older women typically wear darker colors like black or dark blue. Younger women often choose brighter shades such as white or beige. The specific colors signal age and social standing within the community.

How it is worn

Women tie the scarf in various ways depending on their region. Some place it over a triangular headscarf after gathering hair with gauze. This creates three layers of headdress. The layers include a base gauze piece, the main kelaghayi, and a final triangular cover called kasaba or sarandaz. The style reflects local traditions and personal preference while maintaining modesty.

How Kelaghayi is kept

Four male artisans create the scarf through weaving, dyeing, molding, and decorating. A woman accepts a proposal by giving the scarf to the man. She then wears a red version at her henna party. Women layer it under other head coverings based on regional custom.

When and where

It appears during betrothal when a proposal is accepted. A red version is worn specifically at the henna party held before the wedding ceremony.

Production centers are located in Sheki and Basgal in Azerbaijan. The tradition is kept by Azerbaijani and Armenian communities.

What Kelaghayi means

The scarf symbolizes chastity, respect, and devotion. Colors indicate age and social status. Red signifies the acceptance of a marriage proposal and joy at the henna party.

Who takes part

• The bride: Accepts a proposal by gifting the scarf and wears red at the henna party
• The groom: Receives the scarf as a sign of acceptance
• The weaver: Waves the silk threads on a loom
• The dyer: Colors the silk using vegetable dyes
• The moulder: Shapes and stamps the patterns onto the fabric

Then and now

UNESCO listed the tradition in 2014. Production remains concentrated in specific Azerbaijani cities. Apprenticeships continue through family lines rather than formal schools.

On the wedding table

Symbols: The colour red The colour white Gold and jewellery

Questions people ask about Kelaghayi

See also

TamadaThe toastmaster who leads the Georgian supra and sets the rhythm of a wedding feast.HalayA traditional line and circle dance performed across Turkey and surrounding regions at weddings.Kyz kuuA horse race where a man chases a woman to win a kiss or faces her whip if he failsKarsilamasA face-to-face folk dance in 9/8 time that marks the joy of wedding gatherings across the Aegean.

Good reading and sources

• Kelaghayi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.