The decorated belt is one of the most important elements of the traditional male dress of the Caucasians.

In the past, a dagger, a knife, or other weapons were attached to the belt, as well as a powder flask, pieces of flint, tools, and tinder. Tinder is any easily combustible material like wood chips, waxed paper, or dried fungus. Over time, when the need for such items disappeared, the belt became an element of decoration for the traditional male dress.

Traditionally, these belts were decorated with intricate metal overlays. Some of them were attached to the belt itself, some – to the hanging straps. The number of details on the belt largely depended on the number of the hanging straps – from two to ten. They were attached in pairs on the sides, although belts with one right-sided group of straps or without them were often found, as well. Masters had to learn how to construct such belts.

An extensive study on the decorated belts was published in the journal ‘Soviet Ethnography’ in 1988. An article described the types of belts and metal buckles on them. The author highlighted the differences in decor which depended on the specific region.

He wrote that the Dagestan belts were distinguished by elongated and convex knops-buttons with ornamental contours, various crescents, palmette (elements of floral ornament that resemble fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree or an open palm), stylized pairs of birds’ heads. The Kumyk belts often had oval and flat buckle-buttons and drop-shaped overlays. In Georgia, oval hemispheres and drop-shaped convex buckles were quite prevalent. However, due to the strong cultural ties between the different peoples of the Northern Caucasus, many details of the decor were repeated everywhere, the differences were less pronounced.

The author of the article elaborated on the decor of the hanging straps. There were buckles with a lyre-shaped motif (string instruments), rectangular boxes with finials in the shape of horses, snakes or birds. The literature indicates that there also were duck-shaped overlays.

Various jewelry techniques were used to create the overlays: relief engraving, nielloing, gilded notches, casting according to models. As a result, each belt turned into an original work of applied arts.

The belt displayed in the museum was made by Bekhan Dakhkilgov, the only master in the Republic of Ingushetia who is engaged in the revival of the lost traditions of the Ingush jewelry craftsmanship.

Полное наименование: Caucasian male belt
Автор: Bekhan Alaudinovich Dakhkilgov
Дата создания: 2010
Техника: metal, leather
Размеры: 2×160 cm
Коллекция: State Museum of Fine Arts of Ingushetia
Правообладатель изображений: State Museum of Fine Arts of Ingushetia

A warrior in a cherkeska, a traditional male coat of peoples of the Northern Caucasus, always carries gazyrs in his breast pockets. Gazyrs are cartridge cases made of hollow wooden, bone, or reed tubes. Initially, they were used for storing gunpowder and bullets.

It is important that a precisely measured amount of gunpowder was poured into each gazyr, because a little mistake could cost someone’s life. If there was too much explosive substance in the barrel, the weapon could explode, and if too little, it would not shoot.

The old gazyr had a decorative cap on the top, and a hole on the bottom through which a rod for firmly packing the charge – the ramrod – could pass freely. With the ramrod, they pushed a felt gasket, the wadding, into the gazyr. Then the powder was poured into the cartridge. It was plugged with a bullet wrapped in a piece of cloth. A full gazyr was held with a cloth with a bullet turned upwards.

In a battle, the bullet was pulled out of the gazyr with one’s teeth, and the powder was poured out of it and into the gun barrel. Then the wadding was hammered into the weapon with a ramrod and a bullet was placed on top along with a cloth, so it lay more tightly in the barrel. The used gazyr was put back in the pocket with its decorative cap turned upside down. This made it possible to quickly understand which case was empty.

Gazyrs appeared in the North Caucasus in the 16–17th centuries along with firearms. They were not an invention of local warriors; similar cartridge cases were used by musketeers in France and Russian streltsy (units of firearm infantry). In the Russian military tradition, a cross-belt with cartridge cases was called a “berendeika”.

At first, Caucasian soldiers carried gazyrs in leather cartridge belt bags, they were worn on their shoulders or attached to their belts. But this was inconvenient, so soon the covers for gazyrs began to be sewn into traditional men’s clothes – a cherkeska or a chokha. They were placed symmetrically on both sides of the chest. Thus, they did not interfere with the hand movements when riding on horseback and fighting with cold weapons. At the same time, these cases additionally protected the warrior. They were attached at a specific angle, so that, if necessary, they deflected the blows from the body.

Gradually, firearms were improved, and gazyrs lost their purpose. Over time, the cartridge pocket on the chokha has become a symbol of courage, a man’s readiness to protect his home. Therefore, gazyrs today are an integral part of traditional men’s outfits in the Northern Caucasus.

The gazyrs from the museum collection were made by jeweler Bekhan Dakhkilgov. He holds the fifth-class title (the highest) in artistic metalworking. He is the only one of the Ingush masters who can work in filigree.

Полное наименование: Gazyrs
Автор: Bekhan Alaudinovich Dakhkilgov
Дата создания: 2010
Техника: Handmade jewelry
Размеры: 10×2 cm
Коллекция: State Museum of Fine Arts of Ingushetia
Правообладатель изображений: State Museum of Fine Arts of Ingushetia

Over the centuries, the peoples of the Caucasus had to survive in difficult conditions of a perpetual war: due to various Caucasian clans fighting each other or the threat of external enemies. In addition, the highlanders had no police or a state judicial system: men had to protect their families and defend their honor themselves.

Such harsh conditions also determined a special attitude to weapons: at any moment it was necessary to be ready to fight. Therefore, since the ancient times, a personal dagger has become the most important item for every Caucasian man. The young men started carrying their own weapons from the age of 14-15.

High-quality blades were also necessary in peacetime: they were used instead of a knife or an ax, for training with a target and even in dancing. The daggers were exchanged as a sign of peace; they were given to the most honorable and respected guests. The blade was not used only for defense, but also as an element of the national costume, it symbolized the honor, freedom, dignity of the Caucasian man.

They tried to keep this sacred object in mint condition. Daggers and scabbards were usually lavishly decorated – their design reflected the character and social status of the owner.

Therefore, metalworking skills were especially valued in the Ingush culture. The development of this craft in the late 19th – early 20th century led to the establishment of highly professional workshops, where masters used all kinds of technologies in jewelry making: carving, filigree, chasing, and other methods. For the decoration of weapons, they mainly used engraving and nielloing techniques.

The State Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Ingushetia and the Ingush Museum of Local History named after T. Malsagov house rich collections of silver and gold items, remarkable examples of Ingush metalworking traditions. Their collections include bladed weapons, women’s jewelry, men’s belts, and other valuable items.

The famous Ingush jeweler Bekhan Dakhkilgov continues the ancient traditions of his Homeland. The jeweler brilliantly mastered various types of jewelry making techniques, his art is based on the centuries-old traditions of the Ingush culture.

Полное наименование: Dagger ‘Revival’
Автор: Bekhan Alaudinovich Dakhkilgov
Коллекция: State Museum of Fine Arts of Ingushetia
Правообладатель изображений: State Museum of Fine Arts of Ingushetia
Техника: silver, yellow metal, chrome-plated steel, diamonds, zirconium
Размеры: 45×4 cm
Дата создания: 2011