Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the women's festival costumes of the two areas surrounding Skopje, Jugoslavia. It was also intended to preserve pertinent information for these costumes, which are disappearing. A trip was made to Macedonia, and villages were visited in search of old, traditional costumes for the study. Few were located. Villagers were interviewed concerning their costumes, ethnological museum personnel were interviewed to validate findings and supply information not obtained from the villagers. Part of the information included in the study was obtained from observation of costumes in the collection of a dance group and the author's own collection. A small amount of information was obtained from libraries. Costumes were photographed. Costumes were identified as to fiber content, yarn characteristics, dyes used and fabric construction techniques. The study also included costume pieces and how they were worn, embroidery including the names of stitches, motifs and other forms of decoration. The Skopska Crna Gora costume included a black embroidered underdress; a short white wool coat with hand twisted silk fringe; a dark red or maroon sash; a dark red or black vertically striped apron; and if the woman were married, two beige headscarves. An unmarried woman wore only one headscarf. The Skopska Blatija costume included a bright red and gold embroidered underdress, a red pin-striped wool coat, woven wool sash, apron with vertical tapestry woven motifs and a contrasting bright headscarf.
