An Adyghe men’s hat of black astrakhan is on display in the Adyghe Museum of Local Lore. The Adyghe people wore low papakha hats which were cylinder-shaped and had a flat bottom.
Hats were made mainly of sheepskin. Ones made of lambskin were especially valuable. These hats were made of the skin of young lambs of the Karakul breed — one of the oldest breeds of sheep. The most valuable material was considered to be the skin of lambs from one to three days old. The fur was distinguished by its luster and distinct texture. Curls lined up in a row are a sign of high quality. All hats were sewn onto a thick quilted lining and could withstand strong saber blows.
The Adyghe had a very strict headdress etiquette. In the old days, sitting at a table without a hat was not allowed. It was also not customary to go outside without a hat on. If the hat was taken off, it needed to be put in its rightful place. Being negligent to one’s hat was considered an insult to the owner of the house. Like weapons, hats were never presented as gifts among the Adyghe.
In exceptional cases, the presence of a hat was equated with the presence of its owner. If someone knocked a hat off of an Adyghe person’s head, such an act was considered an insult which could lead to dire consequences. The papakha was treated with respect, one could not just knock it off of someone’s head.
Adyghe men had a whole arsenal of papakha hats for all occasions: some for everyday wear, others for weddings or mournings. An average wardrobe had at least ten hats. In the old days, the Adyghe could accurately determine the class and social status of a man by his headdress.
The Adyghe have popular proverbs that reflect their respectful attitude toward a man’s headdress. “The hat is worn not for warmth, but for honor”, “If there is no one to ask for advice, put your hat down and ask it”. The hat was considered a sacred item. A man who always wore a hat never made mistakes. The hat seemed to remind the owner to keep his head straight. And if he couldn’t hold on, the cap would fall off.
