The famous Albanian Kilt (Fustanella as it is known in the Albanian Language) was common dress for Albanian mens from the past centuries where it was More

The famous Albanian Kilt (Fustanella as it is known in the Albanian Language) was common dress for Albanian mens from the past centuries where it was more...regularly worn by a tribe of the Dalmatians (one of the Illyrian progenitors of the Albanians), till at 20-th century. Mens Fustanella / Kilt used to be widely used all over West Balkan, in particular in Illyria and Mollossia / Epirus. At that time, the Kilt was called Dalmatica, however, theories exist that the Kilt really had its origin during much earlier times as a long shirt called LINJA which, when gathered at the waist by a sash, gave the appearance of a knee- or calf-length kilt. From at least the 12th century, a strong cotton cloth called FUSTAN was produced - hence the name of the garment FUSTAN and later the diminutive FUSTANELLA . But archeological evidence points to the FUSTANELLA as being a more ancient form of clothing. Among the more important archeological finds are: 1. a small Illyrian ceramic statue from the 4th century CE(AD) found in Durres which depicts a man wearing a long fustanella fastened with two bands across the chest; 2. an Illyrian gravestone from the 3rd to 4th century CE(AD) found in Smokthine of Mesaplik (Vlora- Albania), which shows a man dressed in a fustanella; 3. and much more ancient Illyrian figurines found in Maribor, Slovenia, which dates from the 5th century BCE (BC) which also shows a fustanella worn with the two bands across the chest (very similar to the statue find in Albania) Created by special tailors, this garment measured up to 40 yards around and was made of white linen panels which were covered with fat for waterproofing. A short, richly decorated jacket worn over a full-sleeved white shirt, embroidered leggings or white stockings, a sash and fez completed the outfit. Depending on the social status of the wearer, materials used in fabricating the Fustanella (thereby defining the number of pleats) ranged fromcoarse linen or woolen cloth for villagers to luxurious silks for the more affluent. The Hungarian sociologist, Baron Nopcsa, believed that the Albanian/ Illyrian Kilt became the original pattern for the Roman military dress, and, because of its similarity to the Celtic Kilt, he also theorized that the Roman legions in Britain, through the presence of its Illyrian element (especially solders), probably started the fashion among the Celts (is interesting to note that the Celtic word for Scotland is Alban). Lord Byron, in Childe Harolds Pilgrimage observed the Albanian kilt to the knee, and TS Finlay in his Travels through Greece and Albania states unequivocally declare that it was the fame of the Albanians which induced the modern greeks to adopt (appropriate) the Albanian Kilt as their national costume. History of Greek Revolution by George Finlay (1860) Also See: -The Albanians and Their Territories pages 164-166, 8 Nentori Publishing House, Tirana, 1985, - Faik Konitzas Albania: Rock Garden of Southeastern Europe Pages 81-90. - Lord Byron Works of Lord Byron: With His Letters and Journals, and His Life
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Notes: The Byzantine emperor Manuel I, Komnenos AD 1143-1180. Demetrios Soter, son of Seleukos IV, reigned in Syria 162-150 BC. His brother Ptolemy More

Notes: The Byzantine emperor Manuel I, Komnenos AD 1143-1180. Demetrios Soter, son of Seleukos IV, reigned in Syria 162-150 BC. His brother Ptolemy VI, Philometor, expelled from Alexandria by his brother visited Rome in 164 BC to ask the Senate to reinstate him. (See John Mavrogordato's translation of Cavafy, Chatto & Windus, 1951.) For the young man in the street, there are no dates, but probably around 1910! 55.MANUEL KOMNINOS Aware that he was dying the Emperor Manuel Komninos one misty September morning sent to the church for ecclesiastical vestments. The paid astrologers laughed. 'You won't need those' they told him. 'You will live for many many years' -- waving their charts in his face. The emperor knew otherwise. He would follow ancient tradition, assume the venerable priestly garb appropriate to his fatal situation. The Emperor Manuel Komninos robed with ostentatious piety peaceful in his mind contentedly awaited his earthly end dressed in the habiliments of his faith. 56.SELEUKIDES' DISPLEASURE Ptolemy Philometor expelled from Alexandria by his brother, sues to the Roman Senate for reinstatement. Demetrios Seleukides is livid that Ptolemy -- a Ptolemy! -- has arrived in such poor state, inappropriately dressed and badly attended. This will make their dynasty a joke, the laughing-stock of Rome. he cannot stand it! Seleukides is not stupid, though offended. He realises they are little more than servants. The Romans give, or take away, their thrones at their own pleasure. Nonetheless, some dignity is essential. After all, they're kings! Seleukides tries to press on Ptolemy purple robes and a jewelled crown, diamonds and servants and retainers and his most expensive horses -- to enable him to enter Rome in splendour as befits their common kingly status. Ptolemy has different ideas. He has arrived to beg and must refuse all these proferred luxuries. He comes into Rome dressed in shabby clothes; lodges in a humble working man's home. It is thus that Ptolemy appears before the Senate -- unkempt, bedraggled, bowing, eager to please. He knows the effect of theatre; plays his part. 57.IN THE STREET His handsome face is pale; his brown eyes blinking, dazzled; looks twenty but is really twenty-five; something theatrical about his clothes, the colour of his tie, the shape of his collar -- shambling bemusedly along the street mindlessly dazed by illegal pleasure the delightful sin in which he's just engaged.
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