What are the Georgian felt and sheepskin hats called?
The Svan cap, the papakha and the Tushetian hat.
Short answer
The round felt cap is the Svan hat, svanuri kudi in Georgian, worn in Svaneti and popular as a souvenir. The tall fur hat made of sheepskin is the papakha, papakhi in Georgian, and the patterned felt hat from Tusheti is the Tushetian hat. All three are sold in souvenir shops in Tbilisi, Mestia and Sighnaghi.
Why
- For centuries, mountain people made felt from sheep's wool to protect against cold and sun.
- The papakha was worn with the national costume, the chokha.
- The Svan hat has become a symbol of Svaneti.
Details
The Svan cap is light and easy to take home as a gift. When buying, look for natural felt and handmade work.
People also ask
- What is the Svan hat called?
Sources
Information checked on October 3, 2026.
Georgian national costumeRelated questions
-
What are Georgian musical instruments called?
The best-known Georgian instruments are the three-string panduri and four-string chonguri, the salamuri flute, the duduki, the gudastviri bagpipe, the doli drum and the bowed chuniri.
-
What to give a Georgian, and what gifts to bring from Russia?
When visiting Georgians, sweets, good tea or coffee, flowers for the host or a gift for the children are appropriate.
-
What should tourists, including women, wear in Georgia?
In Tbilisi and Batumi people dress in a relaxed, urban way, as in any European city, and there are no strict rules for visitors.
-
What are Georgian traditions, and how should you behave as a guest?
The core Georgian traditions are hospitality and the supra feast, where the tamada leads the toasts and the guest is offered the best of everything.