The Year of the Xhubleta

The Xhubleta is a handcrafted garment worn by women from Northern Albanian tribes, to which the tribes of Malesia in Montenegro also belong. It is estimated that the costume originated 4,000 years ago, testifying to the continuity of life in these regions.The main characteristic of the Xhubleta is the bell-shaped lower part, which ends in a white band. It is composed of many parts and has narrow felt belts, which are stitched together horizontally and intertwined with cords.

Up until the 18th century, the Xhubleta was made in a variety of colours, but only two versions have survived until today: a black one for married women and a white one for unmarried girls.The Xhubleta was added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.At the initiative of the Municipality of Tuzi, the Montenegro Postal Service is issuing a commemorative edition for the special occasion of the Year of the Xhubleta, featuring a postage stamp and a first-day cover, to mark the event of designating 2023 as the Year of the Xhubleta National Costume.