Papakha, or papaha, has been an essential attribute of the Cossacks for centuries. Its significance is famously mentioned in Alexander Pushkin’s poem Poltava. Cossack hats were considered inviolable and could only be given away upon death. Therefore, knocking off a man’s hat was a grave insult and a challenge to a duel. Conversely, an owner’s act of throwing his hat down signified a bet on his own life.
In the Russian Empire, military regulations allowed for mass heroism decorations to be attached to hats, further increasing their value. Actively serving Cossacks also carried small icons sewn into the lining of their hats, enabling them to pray anywhere, whether in a field, at a battlefront, or during a march.
During peacetime, the hat held immense importance in a Cossack’s civic life. It symbolized a man’s legal rights as the elder of his family. Hats of fallen Cossacks were returned to their homes and placed in the prayer corner, serving as a symbol of protection from God. Papakha hats also played a significant role in matchmaking and weddings.
While Cossack hats generally take the form of a papakha, their shape can vary greatly. The primary distinction lies between rigid and soft hats. Rigid hats are more structured and are typically made of Persian lamb. Soft hats, on the other hand, are best achieved using sheepskin with its distinctive long curls. Kubanka is another major type of hat that is widely recognized across the former Soviet states. It is lower in height but also has a more rigid and structured design. As the name suggests, it originates from the Kuban Cossacks.