Traditional clothing constitutes one of the most important elements of the material culture and identity of the Dropulli and Pogon communities, reflecting not only style and aesthetics, but also traditions, social status, and faith.
Dropulli and Pogoni, two historical and cultural areas of the south, are distinguished by the richness and diversity of traditional clothing, which has been influenced by various economic and social factors. Traditional clothing was mainly produced from wool and linen. In certain livestock areas, sheep wool was mostly used.
After the 19th century, the migration of men to Turkey, Greece, and the United States brought about changes in clothing production: they began to be sewn with imported goods and by specialized tailors outside the household. This period saw the use of various embroidery techniques and bold colors, especially dark blue and shades of black, common characteristics of women's clothing.
Dropull
Among the women of Dropulli, the use of a shajak, a long shirt and a head covering is noticeable. The clothes of the women of Upper Pogon reflect clear civic influences. They were artistically beautifully crafted and with two tiers, in the upper and lower parts. The use of colors and ornaments indicates social status and cultural ties with neighboring cities.
The Dropulli bridal dress is like a sparkling jewel. It represents a masterpiece of Dropulli folk art. This costume is widely known and appreciated and has an invaluable value, as evidence of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the area. The Dropulli bridal dress is a costume full of brilliance and special beauty. It carries a divine feeling and a secret magic that gives it extraordinary value. In this dress, the colors white prevail, a symbol of purity and eternity since ancient times. The secondary role belongs to red, the symbol of love and passion, while black appears rarely, in details of embroidery and fringes. The greatest differences between Dropulli i Siperm and Dropulli i Poshtëm appear in the headgear, the brostela (chest scarf) as well as the color and technique of embroidery. These differences reflect the cultural diversity within the same tradition, further enriching the Dropulli heritage.
Over time and age, the women of Dropulli gradually changed their clothing, mainly in color and decoration, in order to adapt to their age and stage of life.
At the age of 35–40: young women preferred bright colors, such as red and green, which emphasized their youth and vitality.
At age 50: softer tones dominated, such as light blue or light brown.
After the age of 60: dark colors, such as deep blue and brown, were preferred, reflecting seriousness and maturity. Elements of clothing
An important distinguishing element was the headscarf. Younger women adorned it with ornaments and jewelry, while over time dark colors in a simpler style prevailed.
Men usually wore simpler and more functional clothes, but after the migrations of the 19th century, their clothing was also enriched with imported elements and more sophisticated embroidery, adapted for holidays and solemn occasions.
The diversity of clothing in Dropull and Pogon is not only related to materials or technique, but also to factors such as migration and contact with foreign cities, social and economic status, religious affiliation and local traditions, as well as colors and embroidery, which differed according to class and village. The wealthy usually embroidered with gold, while the more modest classes used threads of different colors.
Pogon
The natural relief of the Pogon area, marriages with the Lunxheri people and emigration influenced the traditional clothing of the Pogon area. Although it is not possible to determine exactly when the use of the old clothing was discontinued, the black dress entered the tradition as a result of emigration around the middle of the 18th century. Each village has its own traditional clothing with different variations. In the villages of Pogon, two main types are found: the kavadi (or simpler and darker “clothes”) and the Pogoni dress, white with the characteristic colors of Sopik.
These two styles represent two different traditions within the same region, shaped by geographical, social and cultural influences. The Sopik dress is an extension of the traditional dress of the Greek Pogon. There are two types: the everyday dress of women, with a distinctive element of the “ombola” on the head, and the bridal dress, where the headscarf is worn decorated with gold.
These two elements clearly show the difference between everyday life and the moment of marriage.
In other villages of Pogon such as Poliçan, Skore, Hllomo and Çatistë, black clothing, “kavadi”, prevails. The black color, according to evidence, is associated with emigration and mourning. The kavadi was made of a thick piece of wool, decorated and embroidered with gold and green motifs. There was also a more formal dress, made of velvet, which was worn on special occasions, similar to the dress of the Lunxhëria area. The choice between these clothes depended on the economic situation of each family.
It was characteristic that all the girls had at least one traditional dress in their dowry.
