Cretan men’s festive costume with the vraka

Κρητική ανδρική γιορτινή φορεσιά με τη βράκα

Placeholder content: the costumes, colours and descriptions are stand-ins and not yet checked. The drawings are schematic, not reconstructions.

Show without: Kapoto

Parts of the costume

Tap a piece to see it on the costume.

1. 1 SarikiA black fringed kerchief tied on the head.
2. 2 ShirtSilk, embroidered.
3. 3 MeitanogelekoOf blue felt, richly embroidered. In the National Historical Museum an older costume has an inner and an outer waistcoat trimmed with black silk cord.
4. 4 SashA long burgundy silk sash, wound many times round the waist.
5. 5 VrakaWide breeches of blue felt that leave the legs free to move.
6. 6 StivaniaHigh leather boots; white for feast days.
7. 7 KapotoA blue hooded cloak that completes the museum’s older costume.

Costume

Men’s

Occasion

Festive

Region

Crete

The men’s costume is common to all of Crete. In its festive form the vraka and the meitanogeleko are of good blue felt, the waistcoat richly embroidered, the shirt of silk and the sash burgundy. The festive boots are white, and the fringed sariki is tied on the head.

See it worn

Play:

Καστρινός - Μαλεβιζιώτης | Κουρήτες "Από τόπο σε τόπο" 20/03/2022 · ΚΟΥΡΗΤΕΣ - Κέντρο Πολιτιστικής Κληρονομιάς · Watch on YouTube(opens in a new tab)

Danced in it

• Agkaliastos
• Anogianos pidichtos
• Apanomeritis
• Gitsikia sousta
• Zervodexos
• Koutsampadianos
• Lazotis
• Maleviziotis

All 21 dances

• Mikro mikraki
• Ntames
• Ntournerakia
• Xenompasaris
• Pentozali
• Pidichtos
• Priniotis
• Rodo
• Siganos
• Sousta
• Steiakos pidichtos
• Syrtos Chaniotikos
• Trizalis

More from the region

• Anogeiani women’s costume (sartza)Women’s · Festive
• Cretan men’s everyday costumeMen’s · Everyday
• Kritsa women’s costume (kouda)Women’s · Festive
• Sfakiani women’s costumeWomen’s · Festive

All costumes: Crete