Šajkaca
Encyclopedia
The Šajkača is the Serbia
n national hat
or cap
.
) around the Danube
and Sava River
s. 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 Kepi
s but later wearing Peaked cap
s, 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
.
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.
Today it is commonly seen in rural villages across Serbia
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
and Montenegro
, often worn by elderly men.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n national hat
Hat
A hat is a head covering. It can be worn for protection against the elements, for ceremonial or religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status...
or cap
Cap
A cap is a form of headgear. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head and have no brim or only a visor. They are typically designed for warmth and, when including a visor, blocking sunlight from the eyes...
.
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 šajkašiŠajkaši
Šajkaši were the river troops guarding the Danube and Sava, and especially, the Port of Belgrade, against the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to the 19th century. At the time, the rivers were borders of the Kingdom of Hungary and Habsburg Empire with the Ottoman Empire. They had special military...
) around the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
and Sava River
Sava River
The Sava is a river in Southeast Europe, a right side tributary of the Danube river at Belgrade. Counting from Zelenci, the source of Sava Dolinka, it is long and drains of surface area. It flows through Slovenia, Croatia, along the northern border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and through Serbia....
s. These men conducted small-scale raids against the Ottomans, thus allowing Serb refugees from the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
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 Kepi
Kepi
The kepi is a cap with a flat circular top and a visor or peak . Etymologically, the word is a borrowing of the French képi, itself a respelling of the Alemannic Käppi: a diminutive form of Kappe, meaning "cap"....
s but later wearing Peaked cap
Peaked cap
A peaked cap, forage cap, barracks cover, or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations and also by many uniformed civilian organizations such as law enforcement agencies...
s, 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
Royal Yugoslav Army
The Royal Yugoslav Army was the armed force of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia from the state's formation until the force's surrender to the Axis powers on April 17, 1941...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was shortly worn by Serbian members of the Yugoslav Partisans until it was replaced by "Titovka"
Garrison cap
A Side cap is a foldable military cap with straight sides and a creased or hollow crown sloping to the back where it is parted. It is known as a garrison cap , a wedge cap , or officially field service cap, , but it is more generally known as the side cap.It follows the style which...
cap for soldiers and Peaked cap
Peaked cap
A peaked cap, forage cap, barracks cover, or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations and also by many uniformed civilian organizations such as law enforcement agencies...
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
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, often worn by elderly men.
See also
- šajkašiŠajkašiŠajkaši were the river troops guarding the Danube and Sava, and especially, the Port of Belgrade, against the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to the 19th century. At the time, the rivers were borders of the Kingdom of Hungary and Habsburg Empire with the Ottoman Empire. They had special military...
- Serbian national costume
- OpanakOpanakOpanak are traditional peasant shoes worn in Southeastern Europe . The attributes of the Opanci are: a construction of leather, lack of laces, durable, and various ending on toes. In Serbia, the design of the horn-like ending on toes indicates the region of origin...