Turkmenistan · Costume Making / Felt / Leather
Телпек (Telpek)
The telpek (Телпек) is the large white or black Karakul sheepskin hat worn by Turkmen men — and one of the most immediately recognizable cultural identity objects of Turkmenistan. The telpek uses the pelt of the Karakul lamb — specifically the newborn or fetal Karakul, whose fleece has the characteristic tight, lustrous curl that defines the telpek quality. The defining technical knowledge is the curl density assessment: 'the curl must be so tight that a toothpick cannot enter the curl — if the toothpick enters, the fleece is too open and the hat will lose its luster in one season.'
Risk level: Endangered · Turkmenistan national ICH list
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