The Albanian Highlander's Qeleshe (1)

Following the Svanetian Felt Hat, this is another traditional felt hat worn by mountain people: the qeleshe (or plis) from Albania.

A qeleshe (plis) is a traditional skull cap, which is worn by Albanian men throughout Albania, in Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and in the Arbëresh villages in Italy.

Avdo Mededovich, the Yugoslav Homer

The shape of the cap changes with the region: in northern Albania, the cone is shorter whereas in southern Albania it is usually taller, especially in the Gjirokastër and Vlorë regions, with the exception of the Myzeqe low plains region, where the cap is shorter like in Northern Albania and has some plies. 

In some areas of southern Albania a small protrusion comes out of the cap. The cap is made from one single piece of woolen felt, usually white, that is molded to the shape of the head. The name qeleshe comes from the Albanian word for wool (Albanian: lesh).

In northern Albania, the shape resembles an egg shell cut in half. In southern Albania, the shape is that of a cone with the top cut. Sometimes the qeleshe is worn along with a bandana tied around the head.

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