Koto (clothes)
Koto is a traditional Creole costume (clothing) in Suriname . Women wearing this garment are called kotomisi .
The female slaves , mainly deported to Suriname from West Africa , originally wore only a loincloth ( pangi ) and a headscarf ( angisa ) on the plantations . The pangi is still mainly worn by chestnut women today and is sold to tourists in a particularly colorful and richly embroidered way.
In the city, a more complex clothing developed among the slave women, which was probably also influenced by the white women. This costume consists of a starched skirt ( koto ) that extends from the feet to the armpits. A scarf or ribbon is tied around the waist and the excess length is drawn into a fold ( kotobere ), which also doubles as a pocket and emphasizes the hips. Two petticoats are worn under the skirt. In festive clothing, the skirt is tied with the help of a filled roll that makes it extra wide. The costume also consists of a white cotton shirt with an open neck, the empi , which is also decorated with embroidery on festive occasions. Instead of the shirt, a starched jacket ( jaki ), cut like a large circle, is worn. It is cut out at the neck and has half-length sleeves. Two white ribbons hang on the back, sometimes folded to form a harmonica. Often a colored shawl is worn over this, which is placed broadly over one shoulder. The costume is completed by a starched headscarf ( angisa ). Often the skirt, jacket and headscarf are made from the same material; this costume is also called heri stel in Sranantongo .
This costume is still worn on special occasions. There are Koto's in a slightly different shape and color for birthdays, marriage, mourning (all in white) and work (mostly in blue). The headscarf is of particular importance in traditional costume. The fold conveys a message. Folding is a special art that is still being taught. The special way of wearing a koto can also convey a message.
The traditional costume is still being fashionably developed in terms of shape and colors and is often worn by Afro -Surinam women at dance festivals ( koto-dansi ).
Web links
- Kotomuseum in Paramaribo Dutch, with further explanations of the costume