Costume
Kekezza wear two costumes, one based on traditional Cornish dress from the 19th century and one contemporary. Both incorporate the pinks, purples and white of the Cornish heather from which their name 'Kekezza' comes and the black of the Cornish flag.
The different costumes are chosen depending on the event, and sometimes the weather (!) but should you wish a specific costume for your event please let us know and we would be happy to comply.
Below you can see more about each of these costumes and find out a bit about the history of the traditional dress.
Contemporary costume
Kekezza's contemporary costume consists of a simple black dress, accented with the purples of the heather. It is suitable for more relaxed performances or ceilidhs.
Traditional costume
Kekezza's traditional costume is based on 19th century working dress in Cornwall. You can see this working dress in the famous Newlyn School Paintings and early photographs of balmaidens working on the surface of the tin mines and agricultural workers.
The costume comprises a heavy cotton drill skirt, with a fitted blouse and long apron which protects the skirt. The men wear heavy trousers with a collarless shirt and waistcoat.
The most striking thing about the women's costume is the headwear which is known as a 'gook', coming from the Cornish word 'kaugh or gaugh '. Every town and village in Cornwall had a different style of headwear. Many of these were a bonnet type headdress with an ‘apron’ over the neck and a brim that would protect the wearer from the weather. Those from towns are smaller, while those used in the fields or the mines are larger and offer more protection from the working environment. A few of the examples found are flat-topped.
Kekezza have always been based in Redruth and therefore wear the 'Dolcoath' gook as it is from their area of Cornwall. This gook was also known as ‘the yard of card’ and this is reflected in the measurements. It is not known whether the ‘card’ referred to board or carded wool, but whichever it was, this is a very distinctive example. Known as the Dolcoath gook after the mine, early photographs actually show it at Penandrea mine in Redruth,
Although the costume is based on 19th century examples, Kekezza have based the colours on those of the heather to tie in with their name and provide a more unified look.
For more information on Cornish traditional dress please click here.
