KELAGAYI

Kelagayi is a traditional silk scarf in Azerbaijan. In 2014 kelagayi was included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO for its symbolism and craft.

Traditionally kelagayis were worn by women of the region as headpieces – “kel” in the root of the word means head. Scarves or kelagayis were markers of status or an event, where colors and motifs told a story: red was worn for bridal ceremonies and black for funerals or by older women.

Dating its roots to tradition it is still customary in modern day Azerbaijan for the groom to gift a silk scarf or kelagayi to his fiancée with the engagement ring.