Icons of a trade

Costumes contain a host of messages and act as a symbol of identity within a social framework. For centuries they've transmitted conventional codes expressing hierarchy, group membership, age, gender, marital status, whether they're for everyday or festive use, and relating to the productive system and its occupations: sheperd, farmer, fisherman, mule driver, pedlar, wet nurse or a public office. There are spectific garments and accessories in each geographical area, conditioned by climate, terrain and available materials. Patterns, colours, textile fibres, and items such as canes or a particular hat, as well as certain produce associated whit the costume (honey, oranges, etc.), became the trade's symbols.