Plis

The qeleshe or plis, is a white brimless felt cap traditionally worn by Albanians. It has spread throughout Albanian-inhabited territories, and is today part of the traditional costume of the Albanians.

In Albanian: def. sin. qeleshja or plisi, indef. pl. qeleshe or plisa, def. pl. qeleshet or plisat.

The cloth is thought to originate from a similar cap worn by the Illyrians.

The name qeleshe comes from the Albanian word for wool (lesh), while the name plis comes from the Proto-Albanian word *p(i)litja related to Old High German filiz id., Latin pellis id., and Greek πῖλος pilos id., also known as pileus.

The cap is part of the traditional costume of the Albanian highlanders and is considered as a national symbol of Albania.

In the northern Albanian highlands, the shape is hemispherical, while in Kukës, it is truncated. In southern Albania, the cap is taller than in northern Albania, especially in the Gjirokastër and Vlorë regions, with the exception of the Myzeqe low plains region. In some areas of southern Albania the cap has a small protrusion. The cap is made from one single piece of woolen felt, usually white, that is molded to the shape of the head.

The town of Kruja is particularly known for Albania's traditional felt-makers who produce also the felt caps qeleshe.´ The cap is used by men during the traditional weddings of the Tirana region.

Hemispherical type qeleshe.

Flat-topped type qeleshe.

Different types of qeleshe.

A felt-maker.

Nopcsa Ferenc in northern Albanian costume, 1913.

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