Sergei Muchiryaev, Men's Clothing

Abstract

Sergei shows a rare Kalmyk belt made from silver, which is his family’s relic. He says that in the whole of Kalmykia there are no more than 3 belts like this. His family kept this belt in Siberia and did not sell it despite hunger and other hardships. In the past, such belts with thick silver plates and seals were a symbol of the holder’s high social status. People of middle social status had belts with thinner silver plates, while ordinary people wore leather belts. During concert tours, Sergei says, he always wears his traditional costume with his silver belt. Every part of the traditional costume has its Kalmyk name and meaning. He also talks about relics called bu in Kalmyk.