Paranja

Paranja was a traditional central Asian robe of women and girls.

A related garment was the chachvan. [http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=319779]

The Soviet Union encouraged a liberation of women, albeit limited. With its active discouragement or banning of the veil, it encouraged the abandonment of such robes. [http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/uzbekistan/Uzbek0701-01.htm]

Reference works

For analysis of and discussion of the function of the robes, and for photos of such fobes, see:
*http://www.worldisround.com/articles/150042/photo24.html
*http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=319866&search=atlas&