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all images © 2004, Lara
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When entering a room, a Tajik will take the time to acknowledge all present and show respect in their greeting by a small bow while placing their hand on their heart. The ultimate respect is shown when two men touch their foreheads to eachother. On the other hand, women do not touch and are not touched as a sign of respect.
The traditional dress is vibrant and distinct by region. The more traditionally-minded men wear a small embroidered cap, sometimes dressed with a turban-like wrap around the crown. He will wear a long dark jacket, dark blue or green, doubled on the inside in pale colours. His more modern friend will wear carefully pressed suits with shined shoes to present himself as a man of worthy of respect.
Common everyday wear for women usually consists of a brightly coloured scarf over her hair with a simple smock dress, often made of velvet or velour in deep reds, greens, burnt orange, violet and blues. The traditional costume will vary by region, but all are exquisite and tastefully vibrant in silks or cottons heavily embroidered by hand in the traditional patterns. Young urban modern women are wearing Russian and European’s latest fashions. There are Parisian moments in Dushanbe!