Koto (traditional clothing)
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
File:Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 60005741 Creoolse vrouw in kotomisi.jpg
A Surinamese woman wearing the Koto.
The koto or kotomisse[1] is a traditional dress from the Afro-Surinamese women or Creoles in Suriname. The koto was developed during the slavery period in Suriname; its special purpose was to protect the Afro-Surinamese woman against their masters’ sexual interest. [2]
Different kotos exist for various occasions like weddings or funerals. The development of the koto as regular dress is not complete but it is still used in special occasions like the koto-dansi.
With the koto, women wear a head or body covering called an angisa or anisa. The folding of the angisa sends a social message, for example “Let them talk.”
Gallery
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Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 60006338 Portret van een Creoolse vrouw geklee.jpg
1904-1933
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Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 60005631 Een visvrouw in kotomisi.jpg
Koto, 1885
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Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 2673-2 Pop in klederdracht van een kotomisi.jpg
Doll in koto
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Tropenmuseum Royal Tropical Institute Objectnumber 2673-1 Pop in de klederdracht van een kotomisi.jpg
Doll in koto
References
- ↑ Suriname Facts, COUNTRYREPORTS
- ↑ Citation needed
