All-weather wear from the end of the earth

The Aleuts are an indigenous people that live on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, in the Kamchatka Region — more specifically, on the Commander Islands (Bering and Medny islands) just east of the Kamchatka peninsula in the Bering Sea. According to a census, the Aleut population numbered just 540 in 2002.

After the Aleutian Islands were discovered by the Great Northern (Second Kamchatka) Expedition (1733–1743), they, along with part of Alaska, were transferred to the oversight of the Russian-American Company.

That was when the Aleuts ended up on the Commander Islands, where they continue to live today. They were relocated there (such a practice existed) by the Russians in order to “develop the uninhabited islands.”

The clothes of medicine man, kamleika and ritual instruments, tambourine, beetle and bells. Source: Vitaly Karpov / RIA Novosti

The particularities of the climate gave rise to a distinctive culture of clothing. The most popular item in the Aleuts’ traditional wardrobe is the parka: a long, double-lined, poncho-like fur shirt that is made from seal or sea otter fur, or from birdskin.

In effect, the modern parka is the descendant of the shirts worn by Aleutians and other Arctic peoples, only it is made from lighter fabrics and has a front zipper. In case of inclement weather, fur parkas were worn with the fur on the inside. Birdskin shirts, with the feathers on the outside, provided excellent protection from rain as they repel moisture.

When necessary, a kamleika was worn on top of the parka. A kamleika is a waterproof garment that is made from the intestines of marine animals and has long sleeves and a drawstring hood that covers the neck.

Ethnic clothes of nations of Chukotka people - kamleika, head band and torbasa (fur boots). Source: Vitaly Karpov / RIA Novosti

The kamleika may have served as a prototype for the modern windbreaker. Both parkas and kamleikas were frequently decorated with embroidery and fringe. The men’s and women’s models had the same fit and similar decoration. Women’s formal parkas, which were made from foxskin, were particularly beautiful.

Another traditional garment was brodni — trousers made out of skin from the throats of sea lions — with torbasa, waterproof soft boots made from the hide of sea animals.

The Aleuts also invented a cap. Their field headwear was a large wooden visor (for the ordinary hunter) or a wooden hat with a visor (for chiefs), which protected the hunter’s eyes from sunlight on the water and ocean spray.

Unlike today’s baseball caps, which are made in factories, these hats could take months to produce: they were fashioned from wood and whalebone and required great artistry. According to the Big Soviet Encyclopedia, they were “hollowed out from a whole piece of wood that was then ripped open, giving it the necessary shape, and painted in bright colors, which made a stunning decorative pattern. On the sides and back they were decorated with carved blades of walrus tusk, and engraved with a geometric pattern that had paint rubbed into it. On the top of the back blade, a bone figure of a bird or snake (a totem symbol) was fastened, simultaneously functioning as the peak of the hat. The decorations had a magical significance and supposedly brought hunters success. The side openings of the blade held sea lion whiskers that were up to 50 centimeters long. Their quantity depended on the chief’s hunting achievements and showed how many walruses he had caught.”

Ethnic clothes of Chukotka nations - kamleika, mittens and torbasa, fur boots. Source: Vitaly Karpov / RIA Novosti

Only men wore such headgear, as a means of displaying their social status.

Women wore festive hats made out of hide and birdskin with a variety of decorations, or hides decorated with band patterns.

The Aleuts were great fashionistas and they knew that accessories create a look. Essential components of the festive outfit were bracelets, necklaces and even pendants for piercings that were made out of stone, bone, wood, sea lion whisker, roots and feathers.

Special project: Russian fashion stories

Today civilization has done its work, and in its daily life the population of the village of Nikolskoye, where the majority of Russian Aleuts live, prefer light, comfortable Western clothes and other fruits of modern culture. Nonetheless, the Aleuts are careful to preserve their traditions.

The village often holds folk festivals and traditional events, and has two local folk dancing collectives called Unangan and Chiyan.

At such events, of course, all the traditional Aleut clothes are proudly paraded: The participants wear parkas, fur, feathers, painted wooden headgear and colored threads in their hair.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.