Felt hat

The Vlachs are a subgroup of the Gypsies, now living in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Their appearance here dates back to 12th –14th centuries, and since then way of life of the Vlachs has changed little. Only in the 1950’s the Vlachs were forced to change their nomadic life and they settled in Moravian lands, preserving their customs, a special dialect of the Romani (Gypsy) language and costume; their traditional tall felt hat has been bought in the little town of Rožnov in the Moravian-Wallachia. The ribbon, wrapping the base of the crown, hangs from the back of the brim; it is hand-embroidered with silk thread. Chech Republic, Moravsko Valaska.