What is a Crimean Tatar Qalpaq Made From?

Ilyas Musaev crafts qalpaqs and researches this traditional headdress. Qalpaqs were sewn from karakul, prized for its tight curl and noble texture. In the old days, a special breed of sheep – malych – was raised in Crimea, whose pelts became the basis for warm and durable qalpaqs.