Šajkača

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Šajkača cap

Use
River flotilla headgear (18th century) National symbol (Modern)
Origin
18th-century Serbia.

The Šajkača (Serbian Cyrillic: шајкача, pronounced [ʃǎjkatʃa]) is the Serbian national hat or cap.

History

The Šajkača originated in the 18th century. It was originally worn by the Serbian river fleet as a military headgear (uniform) in the service of the Habsburg Empire (known as the šajkaši) around the Danube and Sava Rivers. These men conducted small-scale raids against the Ottomans, thus allowing Serb refugees from the Ottoman Empire to safely flee to the Habsburg Empire. The refugees copied the design of the hat and spread it widely within the Serbian community.

The distinctive hat is recognisable by its top part which looks like the letter V or like the bottom of a boat (viewed from above). It gained wide popularity in the early 20th century as it became an official part of the Serbian military uniform in 19th century. It was initially worn only by soldiers, the officers wore contemporary French-style Kepis but later wearing Peaked caps, but after 1903. it became part of the standard officer's uniform as well (the officers' ones were modified with a peak). It would continue to be used by the Royal Yugoslav Army.

Serbain soldiers in Corfu (1916-1918) wearing Šajkačas, note the officers' (around the center) ones have a peak.

During World War II, it was shortly worn by Serbian members of the Yugoslav Partisans until it was replaced by "Titovka" cap for soldiers and Peaked cap for officers' parade uniform. During the Bosnian war, the hat was worn by Bosnian Serb military commanders and many volunteer units in the 1990s.

Modern use

Serbian national costume with the Šajkača

Today it is commonly seen in rural villages across Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, often worn by elderly men.

See also

• šajkaši
• Serbian national costume
• Opanak

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