A Young Kazakh Bride
Steppe Fashion of 1895
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And nowhere is this adage more true than for the past, a time so removed from our own, for which a single image can have a huge impact. In this section, the editors at Qalam seek to do more than merely showcase documentary photographs from various eras—we want to tell the real stories behind these images and bring history to life. Each photograph here captures a moment that has shaped our world, and the accompanying narrative highlights its significance and context, giving us a nuanced insight into the events they depict. After all, understanding these stories can only help us appreciate the complexities of history better.
This time, let’s take a look at photographs of a Kazakh bride's outfit.
In the vast expanse of the steppe, a Kazakh bride on horseback was one of the easiest things to spot from afar. Her brightly colored clothes, predominantly light blue or red, and the sparkle of her various ornaments (ranging from hair adornments to earrings and rings) made from precious metals stood out in the pristine landscape. But her most distinctive feature was the saukele. This tall, cone-shaped headdress, nearly half the height of a person, was covered in bright velvet or silk, decorated with various pendants made of gold and silver, and embroidered with beads and precious stones. Additionally, the bride's saukele was adorned with owl feathers and a veil, making it absolutely impossible to miss her while riding in the wind.
These photographs were taken in 1895 in the Akmolinsk Oblast by Jules de Cuverville, the future chief of staff of the French Navy, during his travels through Siberia and Central Asia.