Overview of Shigatse Tibetan Dress
In Shigatse, Tibetan clothing is characterised by its unique design and rich cultural significance. The garments are typically long-sleeved, wide-waisted, with large lapels, and generously sized, allowing for easy movement.
Men’s Traditional Dress
Men in Shigatse often favour white woolen Tibetan robes, lined with blue satin. These robes feature a distinctive design: a blue satin ribbon sewn on each side under the right armpit, which can be tied as a substitute for buttons. Underneath the robe, men commonly wear a black woolen short jacket (known as “Duitong”) and long trousers. The short jacket usually has a blue satin lining, with the front overlap and collar elegantly edged in gold or silver thread. Around the waist, men wrap a colorful patterned sash (“Gongchay”) and tie a woolen belt over it.
Women’s Traditional Dress
Women typically wear a robe called “Chuba Pume,” accompanied by a “Bangdian” apron. During festivals, they adorn themselves with necklaces (“Gencha”) and often drape colorful striped shawls over their backs. They wrap a protective sash known as ‘Gedan’ around their waists and secure it in the front with a silver waist buckle called ‘Gedi.’ Women in Dingri are renowned for wearing large waist buckles, about 20 centimeters in size, that cover their entire waist area and are often paired with two aprons.
Regional Variations
and sometimes from yak wool. These robes have a larger left lapel and a smaller right lapel, with fastenings typically under the right arm using buttons. Artisans adorn some robes with colorful ribbons in red, blue, green, or cyan. They make men’s robes from black or white woolen material and trim them with white satin at the collar, cuffs, front, and hem. They wear white, red, or green shirts underneath. During summer or labor, men often wear only the left sleeve, draping the right sleeve over the shoulder or tying both sleeves around the waist.
This traditional attire is not just clothing but a representation of Tibetan culture and heritage, reflecting the region’s history, environment, and lifestyle. Visitors to Shigatse can witness this vibrant cultural expression through the local dress, which remains an integral part of Tibetan identity.
The Intricacies of Traditional Tibetan Women’s Attire in Shigatse
Materials and Design of Women’s Tibetan Robes
Traditional Tibetan women in Shigatse primarily make their robes from woolen fabric, wool, and tweed. They typically wear these robes over bright and colorful undergarments, usually in shades of red, green, or with floral patterns. They accentuate the waist with a satin or plain fabric sash in red, green, or cyan, and complement it with an apron known as ‘Bangdian’.
Distinctive Features of Pastoral and Urban Attire
In the pastoral regions of Shigatse, leather robes are predominant. Women typically wear leather robes without any additional facings, whereas men often trim their leather robes with black velveteen, corduroy, or woolen fabric at the collar, cuffs, and hem, securing them at the waist with a sash. More ornate in design, women’s leather robes feature embellishments of multicolored woolen fabric and decorations with red, blue, and green patterns, and they also wear these with a ‘Bangdian’ apron.
Variety in Collar Styles
There are two common styles of collars in Tibetan clothing. One is the crossed collar, where the garment’s lapels directly connect and cross over the chest. The other popular style is the straight collar, which wraps around the neck from the back to the front. This style has gained popularity in contemporary times.
The traditional attire of Tibetan women in Shigatse is a vivid representation of their rich cultural heritage. Each piece of clothing, from the robe to the apron, not only serves a functional purpose but also symbolizes the wearer’s identity and cultural background. The vibrant colors, intricate designs, and unique styles reflect the region’s artistic traditions and the people’s connection to their environment and history. For visitors to Shigatse, the traditional Tibetan attire is a window into the local way of life and a testament to the enduring legacy of Tibetan culture.
