I think the cherkeska style seen here is a form of traditional dress not uncommon in the Caucasus region with Georgians circassians etc- the bandolier like pockets were probably at one time designed for a rifles bullets but as I understand it they are largely decorative today and sometimes just filled with a decorative piece called a masri or just left as they are- at least that's what I was told recently by a new neighbor of mine (Andy and Gaspare - the Russian guy I was telling u about) who moved here from Russia last year
