The Celtic Briton Medieval Clan through The Old Magic of Avalon & Camelot & Old Brittany-Bretagne

Friday, March 9, 2012


Overview of the Costumes and Embroidery of Breizh, Brittany or Bretagne





Hello all,

I received a request to do an overview of the costumes of Brittany [Breizh, Bretagne]. I do not know if this will be in time to help her with her class project, but I had been planning on doing this for a while in any case.
I have already done one in-depth article on the costume called Giz-Fouen from Rosparden.
Brittany is traditionally divided into two parts, Lower Brittany and Upper Brittany. The lower and upper defined by altitude. Lower Brittany is the western half, where the people speak the Breton Language, which derives from the same root as Welsh and Cornish. Upper Brittany is the eastern half, where the people speak French, and traditionally used the Gallo Language, which is also derived from Latin. The Breton Language has been retreating to the west for some centuries now. Here is a map showing upper and lower Brittany against the traditional provinces. The second map gives the names of the provinces in the Breton Language as well as in French.







In France, as in many places, the traditional provinces or regions no longer have any legal standing, purely administrative districts have taken their place for legal and governmental purposes. Some maps that you will see show these administrative regions rather than the traditional cultural regions.
Brittany, or Little Britain, was settled by people from the Island of Great Britain who fled their homes during the Anglo-Saxon invasion.




For more information about the History, Language and Culture of Brittany, see this article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany

There are many costumes in Brittanny, by some counts up to 66, but I will not be able to show them all, in fact I have not found images for all of them. They are also not evenly distributed, there being more costumes and more elaborate and colorful ones in the west.

LOWER BRITTANY

The four best known and most elaborate costumes are all from the western part of the province of Gernew [Cornouialle]. I will start with these.

Giz-Fouen costume from the region of Rosporden and Pont-Aven.

I have already done an in depth posting on this costume. Here is the region and the costume itself.





Bigouden Costume of Pont l'Abbe.

This is perhaps the most famous costume and embroidery of Brittany. Here is the location of the region.



The photograph at the top of the article is of a professional embroiderer's shop in this region.
You can see the masses of embroidery on the garments they are working on. I find it interesting to see men also engaged in the embroidery. The costumes they are wearing are those of the end of the 19th cent. Here are a couple of photographs, even today some people prefer the old form of the costume.







During the early part of the 20th century, the coif continued to grow until it reached monumental proportions. This continued until the advent of automobiles made it inconvenient. The skirts shortened, and the aprons became white with free-form embroidery.





The Glazik costume of Kemper [Quimper]

This is another well-known costume of Brittany, often featured on the famous pottery of the area. Here is the location of the region.



Here is a group performing at a festival in Poznan', Poland.



[This photograph is taken from the book 'Ethnic Dress' by Frances Kennett, In the book she implies that this is a Polish dance group, which it clearly is not. Most general books on folk costume, even good ones, have at least one such glaring error. Make sure you check multiple sources.]
The exact form of the embroidery, especially on the men's vests, varies by the town.





This costume has several variations, some of which are quite reserved.



A jacket for the men is part of the costume as well.



Alternatively, some versions of the costume are very colorful indeed, as this example from Kerfeunteun.






The Costume of Plougastel-Daoulas

This is one of the most colorful of all the costumes of Brittany. It is only found in the one city.


Here is an older form of the costume. Notice the rich lace and embroidery.



Here is a more recent form.






The province of Leon.



This costume is found in the regions of Brignogan and Plounéour-Trez on the mid-northern coast.




Kerlouan, just to the west of the above region, is famous for the cone-shaped coif.



Saint-Pol-de-Léon in the northeast corner.



Inland Leon



The Province of Tregor



Tregor is characterized by a small coif with two narrow wings, called the touken.



There is also a larger coif called the katiole.







The Province of Gwened or Vannes.

This province is named after Gwynedd in Wales, another remembrance of the roots of the people of Brittany.



The costumes of Gwened or Vannes are characterized by a coif in which the front has developed a flat shield-like shape. Here is an example from Auray.



The costume of the Island of Groix, in the Lorient region.




Sometimes the entire coif is made of lace which covers the side of the head. Here is the costume of Baud.






Sometimes the pinafore apron is highly embroidered.







The dances here are just as active and spectacular as in other parts of Brittany.



UPPER BRITTANY
There is much less costume material available from Upper Brittany. There is also much less variety in the costumes. I here present what I have been able to find by province.


The Province of Sant Brieg [in French, Saint Brieuc or Penthievre].







This is an example of the Burgher's or Town Costume, widespread among the various folklorique groups
of Upper Brittany.




Province of Sant Malou [Saint Malo]











Province of Roazhon [Rennes]







Notice the coif has the side lappets folded over the top and pinned in place. Also notice the triskelion on her neckband. This is a very Celtic symbol and one of the National symbols of Breizh [Brittany].


Province of Guerande

This is a small province with a very colorful and unique costume.

This is known as the costume of the Marsh-Dwellers.



Province of Naonaid [Nantes]



When the French Government instituted the Departements [administrative regions] to replace
the old traditional Provinces, they removed the Bro-Naonaid [pays de Nantes] from Brittany
and made it administratively part of the Departement of Loire-Atlantique.

The people of Brittany still consider it to be an integral part of their land, however.

Historically, the women of Nantes wore a very high coif, somewhat reminiscent of those of Normandy.

Here is an image of a couple of girls from Pornic, mid 1800's.



Here is the costume of a folkloric group in Vertou. They did a very good job of researching their local materials to make this outfit. You can see many details on their website.
http://cercleceltiquevertou.free.fr/dossiercostume.htm




A children's perfoming group from Jans. As in many children's groups from many countries, the skirts have been shortened far beyond what any adult would wear. A simple bonnet is worn instead of the adult coif, which is common in many areas.
http://filetsbleus.free.fr/groupe/jans.htm



Coif and costume from the area of Clisson.



Town costume of Nantes itself as presented by the performing group Bleuniadur.
http://bleuniadur.over-blog.com/article-2268231.html



I would like to emphasize that this is not a comprehensive listing.

There are yet other costumes which I have not covered.

Thank you for reading, I hope you have found this interesting and informative.


Feel free to contact me with requests for research. I hope to eventually cover all of Europe
and the Former Russian Empire/Soviet Union.

I also gratefully accept tips on source materials which i may not have.

I also accept commissions to research/design, sew, and/or embroider costumes
or other items for groups or individuals.

I also choreograph and teach folk dance.

Roman K.

Rkozakand@aol.com

Source Material:
Joseph Jigourel - Yanna Fournier, 'Costumes de Bretagne', Brest, 2000
Pierre Jakez Helias, 'Coiffes et Costumes de Bretagne', 1983
Bruno Helias, 'Breton Costumes', Florence, Italy, 1997
V. Hetet-Roudaut et al, 'La Broderie en Bretagne', Morlaix, 1989
Andre Sainsard, 'Costumes Folkloriques Provinces Françaises', Paris, 1972
Royere, Gardilanne, Moffat et al, 'Les Costumes Regionaux de la France', New York, 1929
Charles-Brun, 'Costumes des Provinces Françaises', Paris, 1937
P. Leroux, 'Costumes Regionaux', Paris, 1940

http://folkcostume.blogspot.ca/2012/03/overview-of-costumes-and-embroidery-of.html

 

BRETON CELTIC CLAN - KOSKORIAD VREIZH - " GWERIN AN NAERWENN "



Join our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1503379466596165/

 

Breizh - Brittany is NOT a REGION -- WE ARE A NATION !!!

KLE ' , TUDOU !!! DERC ' HEL BREIZH EN HE FEZH - KAER - HI !!!

OYEZ, BONNES GENS !!! TENIR BRETAGNE PLEINE ET ENTIERE !!!

HEAR YE, FOLKS !!! TO KEEP BRITTANY IN ITS WHOLE COMPLETENESS !!!

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WARC ' HOAZH - D ' AN 20 A VIZ KERZU 2014 -

DISPLEGADEG BA PARIS . DIRAK TI AR VODADEG VROADEL .

A - BENN DERC ' HEL BREIZH EN HE FEZH - KAER - HI , PEURGETKET !!!

BEZ ' EMAÑ GROÑS " KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " O VONT / SEVEL A - DU GANT HE FAL - HI .

" HOLL PE GET , HA DALC ' H ! " ( Sturienn Ar Goskoriad . ) /|\ ALAN .

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DEMAIN , LE 20 DECEMBRE 2014 -

MANIFESTATION A PARIS . FACE AU BATIMENT DE L ' ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE .

EN L ' INTENTION DE TENIR BRETAGNE PLEINE ET ENTIERE , NOTAMMENT !!!

LE CLAN DE BRETAGNE " KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " , SOUTIENT ABSOLUMENT SON INTENTION .

" TOUT OU RIEN , ET MAINTIENS ! " ( Devise Du Clan . ) /|\ ALAN .

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TOMORROW , ON DECEMBER 20th , 2014 -

DEMONSTRATION IN PARIS . IN FRONT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING .

IN ORDER TO KEEP BRITTANY IN ITS WHOLE COMPLETENESS , PARTICULARLY !!!

THE BRETON CLAN " KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " , IS ABSOLUTELY SUPPORTING ITS PURPOSE .

" ALL OR NOTHING , AND MAINTAIN ! " ( The Clan ' s Motto . ) /|\ ALAN .

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BREZHONEG / GALLEG / SAOZNEG , AMAÑ DINDAN ...
BRETON CELTIC LANGUAGE / FRENCH / ENGLISH , BELOW ...
CELTE LANGUE BRETONNE / FRANCAIS / ANGLAIS , CI - DESSOUS ...

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ARABAT D ' AR RIEZ C ' HALL TAMMATA , DARNAOUIÑ , HA KAS BREIZH DA GET !!!
ARABAT D ' AR RIEZ C 'HALL SKARZHAÑ KUIT AN NAONED EUS BREIZH !!! ( HEÑVELDRA ' VIT A SELL OUZH BRO - NAONED ! ... )
ARABAT D ' AR RIEZ C ' HALL STRIVAÑ DA FORC ' HIÑ BREIZH DIOUZH HEC ' H ANV - HI !!!

RET - HOLL EO DIMP OBER HOR 7 GWELLAÑ EVIT MIROUT NA VEFE SEVENET HEVELEP DROUGOBER DA VAT , ' VIT ATAV , HA BET DIEILTRO ANEZHAÑ !!!
HA PEURGETKET ... DIWAR SEVEL KLEMM HA DOUGEN AN DRA DIRAK ENSAVIOU EUROPA ... ( LEZ - VARN EUROPA - BREUJOU EUROPA )

KOMZ A RAN AMAÑ EVIT " KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " , DA VAC 'HTIERN M ' EMAON WARNI MOARVAT .

HA DRE AN ABEG M ' EMAÑ AN ABADENN - MAÑ O SELLOUT OUZH PEP BRO HAG HINI !

BEZ ' EMAÑ GROÑS " KOSKORIAD - VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN ", SKOAZ - OUZH - SKOAZ EVIT AR STOURM - MAÑ !!!

DIWAR C ' HOUZOUT EMAÑ AR GOSKORIAD TONKET DA ZIWALL TREVTADEZH VREIZH, E PEP FEUR HAG E PEP DOARE ...

/|\ ALAN . Gutuater-Fili - Telennour Predenat - Mac 'htiern War " G/Koskoriad Vreizh - Gwerin An Naerwenn " [ Koskoriad-Lidañ Predenat Krennamzerel Lidouez - Kadourezed / Kadourien ]- Kerzour-Oberour-Kerzaozour - Gwerzour - Daneveller - Daelvaour - GUTUATER WAR AR GALLOUDEG - Kelenner [ Brezhoneg -Kerz -Gwerziñ - Klezeiataerezh Predenek Ar Grennamzer ...]- Predenad War - Bouez Dibradañ .

Skeudenn - 2 Arouezinti . Breizh / Europa : Trugarez Vras - Kenañ Deoc 'h Diwar Rannañ ,
Gastinger Kilian .

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L ' ETAT FRANCAIS NE DOIT PAS MORCELER , FRAGMENTER ET REDUIRE A NEANT BRETAGNE !!!
L ' ETAT FRANCAIS NE DOIT PAS EXCLURE NANTES DE LA BRETAGNE !!! ( ET DE MEME EN CE QUI CONCERNE LA PROVINCE DU PAYS NANTAIS ! ... )
L ' ETAT FRANCAIS NE DOIT PAS TENTER DE DEPOSSEDER BRETAGNE DE SON NOM !!!

IL NOUS EST ABSOLUMENT INDISPENSABLE DE " FAIRE NOS 7 MEILLEURS " POUR EMPECHER QUE NE SOIT ACCOMPLIE TELLE INJUSTICE POUR DE BON , DE MANIERE DEFINITIVE ET IRREVERSIBLE !!! ET NOTAMMENT ... EN DEPOSANT PLAINTE ET EN PORTANT L ' AFFAIRE DEVANT LES INSTANCES EUROPEENNES ...
( COUR DE JUSTICE EUROPEENNE - PARLEMENT EUROPEEN )

JE PARLE ICI POUR LE CLAN DE BRETAGNE, " KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " , EN TANT QUE CHEF DUDIT CLAN QUE VERITABLEMENT JE SUIS .

POUR LA RAISON QUE CETTE AFFAIRE CONCERNE TOUT PAYS AINSI QUE TOUT UN CHACUN !

LE CLAN BRETON " GWERIN AN NAERWENN ", EST ABSOLUMENT SOLIDAIRE DE CE COMBAT !!!

EN SACHANT QUE LE CLAN A POUR DESTINATION DE PROTEGER LE PATRIMOINE BRETON SOUS TOUS SES ASPECTS ...

/|\ ALAN . Druide-Barde - Sonnant Celte Harpe Bretonne - Mac ' htiern [ "Chef de Clan" ] du Clan Celte Breton Médiéval Initiatique Paganisant
[ Guerrières / Guerriers ]" KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " - Musicien - Auteur - Compositeur - Chanteur - Ecrivain - Conférencier - DOCTEUR DE CELTIQUE - Enseignant [ Langue Celte Bretonne - Musique - Chant - Escrime Celte Bretonne Médiévale...] - Et Celte Breton En Devenir d'Eclore .

Image - 2 Drapeaux . Bretagne / Europe : Très Grand Merci A Vous Pour Le Partage ,
Gastinger Kilian .

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THE FRENCH STATE MUST NOT PARCEL OUT , FRAGMENT AND WIPE OUT BRITTANY !!!
THE FRENCH STATE MUST NOT REMOVE NANTES FROM BRITTANY !!! ( AND THE SAME , REGARDING THE PROVINCE OF NANTES ! ... )
THE FRENCH STATE MUST NOT TRY TO DEPRIVE BRITTANY OF ITS NAME !!!

IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT " WE DO OUR 7 BEST ONES " IN ORDER TO PREVENT THAT SUCH A MISDEED WOULD BE CARRIED OUT FOR REAL , DEFINITIVELY , AND
IRREVERSIBLY !!! AND ESPECIALLY ... BY LODGING A COMPLAINT WITH THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS AND TAKING THE CASE TO THEM ... ( EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT )

I DO SPEAK HERE IN THE NAME OF THE BRETON CLAN ,
" KOSKORIAD VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN " , AS CHIEF OF THAT CLAN THAT I TRULY AM .

FOR THE REASON THAT THIS CASE IS CONCERNING EACH COUNTRY AND EVERYBODY !

THE BRETON CLAN, " GWERIN AN NAERWENN ", ABSOLUTELY STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THIS FIGHT !!!

BY KNOWING THAT THE CLAN IS MEANT TO PROTECT THE BRETON HERITAGE IN ALL ITS DIMENSIONS ...

/|\ ALAN . Druid-Bard - Celt Breton Harp Player - "Mac'htiern" [ "Clan Chief " ] Of The Celt Breton Pagan Medieval and Ritual Clan [ Warrioresses / Warriors ]
"KOSKORIAD - VREIZH - GWERIN AN NAERWENN" - Musician-Composer-Author- Singer-Writer- Lecturer- DOCTOR OF CELTIC - Teacher [ Celt Breton Language-Music-Singing-Celt Breton Medieval Fencing...] - And Celt Breton About To Springing .

Picture - 2 Flags . Brittany / Europe : Thank You Very Much For Sharing ,
Gastinger Kilian .

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BREIZH - AMERIKA ..... 500 BLOAZ HARZEREZH !

BRITTANY - AMERICA ..... 500 YEARS OF RESISTANCE !

BRETAGNE - AMERIQUE ..... 500 ANS DE RESISTANCE !

[ Trugarez Vras - Kenañ Deoc 'h Diwar Rannañ / Thank You Very Much For Sharing / Très Grand Merci A Vous Pour Le Partage :
" An Daol Grenn " ... ] /|\ ALAN .

 

Antique Map "Duche de Bretaigne" Brittany France 18th Century Jan Janssen

Great Antique Map "Duche de Bretaigne"

From our research we have found that this map was made by Jan Janssen.
He completed the map sometime in the early 1660's, but it was not published until 1666 by his children.
We beleive that this particular map was originally in a book dating to the 18th Century.
If you notice the fold down the center it seems clear that this is the case.
The map has good color and clarity, but there is some foxing to the paper. (See Pictures)
The map is on chaised paper (See Pictures)
The map is in good condition overall, and to be honest the foxing adds some character to the map showing that it truly has age and is not a modern reproduction. The frame is not in very good condition, and does not have to be included if you do not want it.
Map: 19 7/8 x 14 7/8 inches
Frame: 26 x 21 3/4 inches
Described by JRJ

 

ROSCOFF CATHEDRAL BRITTANY C1900 FRANCE


Photo Credit: Glass Magic lantern slide

 

Bet Paket Anezhañ ... Diwar Vont , Eeun ... Hag Eus Ur Profig Ouzhpenn ??? Da - Geñver Hol Lidadur A C ' hoursav - Goañv ??? DAS ! Levenez C ' hlan Din , Tra - Ken , Eus Emañ ! /|\ ALAN .
Got It ... Just Passing By ... And One More Treat By The Way ??? On The Occasion Of Our Winter Solstice Celebration ??? LOL ! Just A Pure Glee To Me, Indeed ! /|\ ALAN .
J ' Ai Récupéré Ceci ... Juste En Passant ... S ' Agirait - Il D ' Une Surprise De Plus ??? A L ' Occasion De Notre Rite Du Solstice d ' Hiver ??? LOL ! Cela M ' Est Juste Pure Liesse , En Vérité ! /|\ ALAN .
View: http://youtu.be/TQgXM_q3hGA

Bet paket anezhañ... Diwar will, eeun... Hag had ur profig ouzhpenn??? Da - geñver hol lidadur has this hoursav - goañv??? Das! levenez this hlan din, tra - ken, had emañ! /-\ Alan.

Got it... Just passing by... And one more treat by the way??? On the occasion of our winter solstice celebration??? Lol! just a pure glee to me, indeed! /-\ Alan.

I got this... Just casually... Would this be a surprise of more??? On the occasion of our rite of the winter solstice??? Lol! it is just pure liesse, in truth! /-\ Alan.

Http://youtu.be/TQgXM_q3hGA

 

Photo Credit: Patricia McAlister‎