Elaborate jumlo dress from the Swat - Kohistan - Khyber pass region on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most Kohistani tribal people live in remote villages, where they make elaborate and fine embroidered and handwoven items.
A jumlo dress is a half long garment made of black cotton and is the most elaborate and most precious garment a member of the tribe can possess.
The chest part is completely filled with fine hand-embroidered tribal patterns, metal amulets, studs, antique coins, all kinds of buttons and metal applications. With movement the metal amulets and applications will make a soft tingling sounds, which will (according to local believe) keep evil spirits away.
The chest part has 2 zippers (from which 1 is broken) in the front, to facilitate breastfeeding.
Besides the black cotton, the main color of the dress is red. This is typical for older dresses, before 1970. Dresses made after 1970 have are more colorful, by adding yellow and white accents.
The cuffs of the sleeves are finished with fine hand-embroidered patterns.
The skirt part is wide and very full, making it a complex work of art.
The dress can be adjusted in the waist by tying the straps on the back.
Although this dress is in good condition, some stains, small holes and signs of intense wear and high age are common on this kind of rare and ancient garments.
This exceptional and rare dress is worthy of a place in a museum.
For more information about this dress, please visit the website of Textile Research Center Leiden (Netherlands).
To preserve the authenticity of the dress, it is sold in the same and original state as we got it in from Afghanistan. We do NOT repair, mend, personalize, nor wash/dry clean it!
Main material: fine cotton, zippers, tribal embroidery, studs, antique coins, beads and all sorts of studs and applications
Size: see last picture - all sizes are approx.
shoulder width: 42 cm
waist: 51 cm - full waist: 102 cm
sleeve length: 60 cm
cuff width: 22 cm
total length: 85 cm
Age: before 1970
Origin: Kohistan
This dress is an antique handmade artisanal item: minimal deviation in size, color and pattern may occur.
Although we do our very best to provide clear pictures, minimal differences in color may occur.