| LEGEND TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE PRINT BELOW Print Specifics:
THE CELTIC AND IBERIAN TRIBES of the ancient land of Lusitania fought hard against a series of invaders, but eventually succumbed - first to the Romans, then to Muslims. These, together with African influences, left their mark on costume and society. As a result, the style of Portuguese clothes is similar to that of Spain and the South of France. Women wear their short skirts and large felt hats with grace. They do not possess that fierce Spanish beauty, but their thick hair and flashing eyes give them a vivacious appearance. 1, 3 & 6 Peasant women from Minho in feast-day costume. 3 & 6 are wearing black felt hats with upturned brims, decorated with pompons. Under their hats are lencos, pieces of material whose pleats spread out over the neck and shoulders. The sleeves of the chemise worn on feast days are always long, and it is customary to lift up the skirt to show the petticoat. The lady in 3 is wearing a pleated cape, and all three are carrying parasols. 2 A peasant woman from Minho wearing a costume contemporary with the Civil War. She wears a lenco under her felt hat and the wide sleeves of her chemise are rolled up. Her bodice is decollete and her short skirt is pleated. She is wearing long earrings and shoes with wooden soles. 4 A herdsman wearing a hat with a brim that sticks out like wings at the sides. 5 A poultry seller whose lenco makes a pretty headdress. Her bodice is decollete with a fichu round the neck. Her skirt is protected by a large apron. 7 A shepherd wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a shirt under a waistcoat and jacket. 8 & 12 Fishermongers. Such men play an important role in a society in which their work is vital. 9 & 10 Mussel vendors with gold buttons on their bodices. 11 A piglet seller wearing a small bonnet and an overgarment wrapped round his body. His legs are bare. 13 A prawn seller carrying her wares in a basket on her head, as was customary, and holding a scarf in her hand. 14 A fisherman wearing exactly the same costume as a Neapolitan fisherman: a small bonnet, an open shirt with long rolled-up sleeves, a belt holding up baggy shorts and bare legs and feet. 15 A parish priest with a long cassock, buckled shoes and a biretta. 16 A cattle merchant wearing an open shirt, culottes and alpargatas. 17 A monk of the Order of Saint Anthony wearing a very large felt hat, commonly worn by most religious orders in Portugal. 18 A Dominican with a three-cornered hat and a black cowl over a white robe. 19 A Carmelite wearing a double black robe and a cape with a capuchin. 20 A Benedictine wearing a black serge over-garment. Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy!
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