Folk costume

Faroese folk dance club with some members in national costumes

National costume (also: regional costume, folk costume or traditional garments) expresses an identity through costume which usually relates to a geographic area or a period of time in history, but can also indicate social, marital and/or religious status. Such costumes often come in two forms: one for everyday occasions, the other for festivals and formal wear.

Following the outbreak of romantic nationalism, the peasantry of Europe came to serve as models for all that appeared genuine and desirable. Their dress crystallised into so-called "typical" forms, and enthusiasts adopted it as part of their symbolism.

In areas where contemporary Western fashions have become usual, traditional garments are often worn in connection with special events and celebrations, particularly those connected with cultural traditions, heritage, or pride.

In modern times there are instances where traditional garments are required by law, as in Bhutan, where the traditional Tibetan-style clothing of gho and kera for men, kira and toego for women, must be worn by all citizens -- even those not of Tibetan heritage; or in Saudi Arabia, where women are required to wear the abaya in public.

Examples of national costumes

Africa

Kora player Toumani Diabate wearing a Senegalese kaftan

West Africa

• Benin - lace Dashiki suit and Aso Oke Hat (male), lace Buba and wrapper set (female)
• Ghana - Kente cloth, Ghanaian smock, and Fila (male), Kente buba and skirt set and Kaftan (female)
• Liberia - Dashiki suit and Kufi (male), Buba and skirt set, Buba and wrapper set, and Kaftan (female)
• Mali - Grand boubou and Kufi (male), Kaftan (female)
• Nigeria - Agbada and Isiagu (male), Buba and wrapper set (female), Fila, Aso Oke Hat
• Senegal - Senegalese kaftan and Kufi (male), Kaftan (female)

North Africa

• Egypt - Galabeya
• Morocco - Djellaba (male), Fez hat, Takchita (female)
• Sudan - Jalabiyyah, Taqiyyah, and Turban (male), Toob, a cotton women's dress (female)

Horn of Africa

• Ethiopia - Ethiopian suit (male), Ethiopian coffee dress (female)
• Somalia - Macawiis (male), Koofiyad (male), Jilbab (female), Dirac (female)

East Africa

• Kenya - Dashiki, Kanzu, and Kofia (male), Kanga and Kitenge (female)
• Tanzania - Kanzu, Dashiki, and Kofia (male), Kanga and Gowni (female)
• Uganda - Kanzu, Dashiki, and Kofia (male), Gomesi (female)

Southern Africa

• South Africa - Madiba shirt, Dashiki, Zulu crown (isicholo)
• Zimbabwe - Safari shirt and Dashiki (male), Buba and skirt set (female)

Americas

Peru

• Brazil - Baiana suit, Pilcha
• Canada - Tuque, Anorak, Ceinture fléchée
• Chile - Huaso costume
• Cuba - Guayabera (male), Guayabera dress (female)
• Dominican Republic - Chacabana
• Guyana - Shirt jacket (male), Booboo (female)
• Haiti - Karabela dress (female), Shirt jacket (male)
• Jamaica - Quadrille dress (female), Bush jacket (male)
• Mexico - sombrero, Mariachi suit, Charro suit, Huipil, Rebozo, Sarape
• Panama - Pollera
• Peru - Chullo, Poncho
• Puerto Rico - Guayabera, Pantalons, and Panama hat (male), Trajes (dress) (Female)
• St. Lucia - Kwadril dress (female)
• Trinidad - Shirt-jac (male), Booboo (female) and Carnival costumes
• United States - Various forms of Native American clothing. Traditional dress in Texas, the Southwest, and many rural communities includes Cowboy Hats and boots, and bolo ties.
• Venezuela - Liqui liqui, pelo e' guama hat.

Asia

Central Asia

• Kazakhstan - Chapan

East Asia

Mongolian deel

• China - Hanfu, then Qipao and Changshan
• Japan - Kimono
• Korea - Hanbok
• Mongolia - Deel

South Asia

• Bangladesh - Pajama and Panjabi, Kurta/Panjabi (male) and Sari, Salwar Kameez (female)
• India - Dhoti and Lungi, Kurta (male) and Sari, Salwar Kameez (female)
• Maldives - Dhivehi libaas (women) Sarong, long sleeved white shirt (men)
• Bhutan - Gho (male) and Kira (female)
• Nepal - Daura and Suruwal, (male) and Sari, Gunyou Cholo (female)
• Pakistan - officialy Sherwani (male)Shalwar kameez dupata (female) is worn on special occasions.
• Sri Lanka - Dhoti and Lungi, Sarong, Sari

Southeast Asia and Pacific

Cambodian sampot

• Cambodia - Sampot, Apsara, Sabai.
• Hawaii - Hawaiian Shirt, Hawaiian Skirt
• Indonesia - Batik, Kebaya (female), Peci hat (male)
• Malaysia - Baju Melayu (male), Baju Kurung (female), Baju Kebaya (female), Sarong
• Myanmar - Longyi
• New Zealand - Māori Flax Skirts
• Philippines - Barong Tagalog (male) and Baro't saya (female)
• Thailand - Suea Phra Ratchathan (male) and Thai Chakkri, Thai Boromphiman, Thai Siwalai, Thai Dusit, Thai Chakkraphat, Thai Amarin, Thai Chitlada, Thai Ruean Ton (female), Sampot
• Tonga - tupenu and ta'ovala
• Vietnam - Áo dài, Áo tứ thân, Yếm, Áo bà ba, Ao Ngu Than (female) Tay/Thai (female) and (male) And Áo gấm (male) Conical straw hat And Nón quai thao (female)

Europe

Traditional kroj from Slovakia

Southern Spain, Andalusian folk costumes

• Albania - Albanian Traditional Clothing, Fustanella
• Austria - Tracht, Dirndl
• Bohemia - Kroje
• Croatia - Croatian national costume, Lika cap, Sibenik cap
• England - Pearly Kings and Queens, Morris dancer costumes
• Faroe Islands - Føroysk klæði
• France - Breton shirt, Beret
• Germany - Tracht, Lederhosen, Dirndl
• Greece - Fustanella, Peplos, Chiton
• Iceland - Þjóðbúningurinn
• Ireland - Aran sweater, Grandfather shirt,Kilt Flat cap, Irish stepdance costumes Aran Island Tam Caubeen
• Italy - Italian folk dance costumes, Tarantella costumes
• Malta - Għonnella (Faldetta)
• Moravia - Kroje
• Netherlands - Dutch cap, sabot
• Norway - Bunad
• Poland - Kontusz
• Romania - Romanian dress
• Ancient Rome - Toga, Stola
• Russia - Sarafan, Kokoshnik, Kosovorotka, Ushanka, Valenki
• Serbia - Serbian dress, Serb hat
• Scotland - Kilt, tam o'shanter, Aboyne dress
• Slovakia - Kroj (embroidered traditional dress)
• Spain - every autonomous region has its own Spanish national costume.
• Sweden - Sverigedräkten; 18th century: Nationella dräkten
• Ukraine - Vyshyvanka, Sharovary, Żupan, Ukrainian wreath
• Wales - Welsh hat

Greater Middle East

President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai wearing his traditional Pashtun clothes and a karakul hat in 2003.

• Afghanistan - Kurta (male) and Shalwar Kameez (female), Burqa, Turban
• Arab world - Abaya, Fez, Keffiyeh, Taqiyah, Hijab (by Muslims)
• Iran - Chador, Giveh, Galesh
• Israel - Tembel hat, Biblical sandals, Jewish religious clothing
• Turkey - Fez (male), Yashmak (female), Islak (long shirt), and Shalwar (pants)

See also

• Ceremonial clothing in Western cultures