A kozhukh (Ukrainian: кожух) is a traditional Ukrainian fur coat.

Kozhukh in the Buchach Museum

Generally worn in the winter, the kozhukh was normally made of sheepskin, sometimes decorated with embroidery and with leather, cords, tassels, and other accessories. They were tight at the waist, sometimes very long. There were two main variations, those with straight backs and those with detached backs.

Variations of the kozhukh were worn throughout Ukraine,[1] but it was primarily used in the middle Dnieper River region, including the Left Bank and steppe areas, and in Polissya.[2] They were especially popular during the Cossack Hetmanate period,[3] though they were also worn during the Kievan Rus' period.[4] In the last decade, coats based on the traditional Kozhukh have become fashionable again in Ukraine.[5]

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In History Channel's production Vikings the character prince Oleg "the prophet" is frequently seen wearing kozhukhs.

References

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  1. ^ "Ukrainian Folk Clothing". Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. ^ Folk Costume of Polissya[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Dress at the Encyclopedia of Ukraine
  4. ^ George Vernadsky. Kievan Russia . Yale University Press, 1973
  5. ^ Viktoria Herasymchuk. The Ethnic Look - What Ukrainians Wore and Are Wearing Today. The Day, 24 January 2006