TYPICAL CAMPECHE COSTUMES: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical costumes of Campeche are the result of the mixture of the culture of the Mexican indigenous with the culture of the Spanish. These integrate the use of indigenous embroidery and decorations with the use of typical Spanish skirts.

Originally the women of Campeche wore huipiles, costumes worn by the inhabitants of the Yucatan peninsula that were imposed by the Europeans in order to cover women's breasts.

However, with the establishment of the Spanish tradition of the premiere of clothes, the clothing of the women of the state of Campeche was changing.

The folksy woman began to wear new clothes at Carnival, at the Purísima Concepción festival, at the San Román festival and at the San Juan festival.

At this time, the Spanish women gave their maids clothes that had similar characteristics, in order for them to wear them at those festivals.

However, Campeche women began to make the traditional embroidery that the huipiles wore on the clothes given by the Spanish women.

With the passage of time, this type of clothing became a typical Campeche costume.

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The most popular typical costumes in Campeche

1- Typical costumes of the Calkini municipality

In this municipality the women use the traditional costumes of Yucatán. These are divided into two categories: the huipiles, which are the daily wear of the indigenous women; and the terno, gala dresses for the parties originally worn by the mestizos of the Colony.

For many years the huipiles were used by the indigenous and the mestizos, for which for some it was a symbol of contempt.

The men's suit in Calkini is made up of a shirt and white pants. It is complemented by espadrilles, the red bandana and a hat.

The characteristics of the female suit are described below:

The huipil or hipil

The huipil is a suit that is made up of a rectangular-shaped piece of cloth. It has a square neckline and is adorned around with embroidery strips. This is accompanied by a long fustan or bottom that reaches to the ankles.

The huipil is closed and only the opening is left for the neck and arms; this gives a rectangular dress look.

This clothing was accompanied by rosaries in which amulets carved from bones, animal teeth and deer eyes were interspersed.

The suit

The suit is a variation of the huipil that consisted of a white rectangle in which the embroidery is only made on a flap, which is complemented by a lace.

The bottom or fustán is also embroidered with the same design as that of the blouse. The embroideries are in bright colors in order to make them more striking.

This costume was complemented with gold rosaries and coral basins from which gold coins and doubloons hung. They also used gold rings in order to distinguish this outfit from that of the indigenous women.

Both suits are complemented with a shawl, which is a rectangular cloak worn by women.

It is placed on the shoulders and covers the body from the hips up. The shawl is used when women are outside their homes.

2- Typical regional costume

The typical regional costume combines the embroidery of the huipiles with the traditional blouses and skirts used during the colonial era.

As the typical regional costume originated from the custom of wearing during its four most important celebrations, it has elements that are used in honor of these.

The typical clothing of the folksy man is made up of black pants that are accompanied by a red belt, which is cinched at the waist.

This belt is accompanied by a white linen Filipina that has golden buttons. They also wear a hat and a patterned scarf that is usually red.

They complete the suit with espadrilles and, on some occasions, patent leather shoes. This outfit has a black rosary in honor of Saint Roman.

The women's wardrobe is more elaborate. Its main characteristics are described below:

Skirt

The skirt of the regional costume of the state of Campeche reaches to the ankles. The fabric used for the elaboration is the bramble or the calico and they are usually bright colors, such as pink and yellow, among others.

The skirt is embellished from knee length with white lace and some bright colored bows and flowers.

On the skirt, at the waist, a cloth of the same color is placed forming a kind of sash that joins the skirt with the shirt.

Blouse

The blouse is white with a square neckline. The neck and sleeves are embroidered with black threads.

Usually large and small flowers, onions, pumpkins are embroidered and in some cases representative symbols of the coat of arms of the state of Campeche or of some of its municipalities are embroidered, such as boats and walls, among other elements.

Shawl

The shawl is white and is used in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

Touched

The hair of the campechanas is combed by making a long braid with which a bun is later created. This is adorned with a bow in the same color as the skirt and a tortoiseshell comb.

accessories

The accessories used in this typical costume are earrings or long earrings, which are usually made of gold and are shaped like coins. They also wear red coral coin necklaces and rosaries.

Footwear

They wear flip flops made with hard soles and black patent leather. They are embroidered with white threads and have a small heel to harmonize the dances with the sound of the heel hit.

References

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2. Mexican Clothin. Retrieved on November 18, 2017, from mexican-clothing-co.com
3. Festivals, Dance and Traditions, retrieved on November 18, 2017, from blueovaltransportation.com
4. Campeche Typical Clothing. Retrieved on November 18, 2017, from en-yucatan.com
5. Retrieved on November 18, 2017, from wikipedia.org
6. The Peninsular States Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo, retrieved on November 18, 2017, from mexfoldanco.org
7. Types of traditional mexican attire for women. Retrieved on November 18, from womens-fashion.lovetoknow.com