12 Everyday life in Val Gardena is imbued with ancient traditions. Customs and celebrations take place all year round: as their original meaning often risks oblivion, retrieving and keeping them alive is crucial. Together with the Ladin language and craftsmanship, the local folk costume is at the very heart of Val Gardena culture. Its lavish decorations make it one of the most beautiful costumes in the Alps; the costume is particularly important as it identifies the social status of the person wearing it. The most beautiful costumes are worn during weddings. On such occasions, not only do they indicate the wearer’s social status, but also his/her specific role. In the Ladin language, the grandparents of a wedded couple are called nëinesc: grandmother (ava) and grandfather (nëine). Grandparents were distinguished in their dress sense by wearing white woollen berets called cazina; apart from this, their clothing resembled that of others of their age. Grandmothers usually wear a petticoat by the name of carsetl dala pinta, with very large sleeves buttoned low on the wrist: padded and loose to the elbow and then tight above the elbow; a Damascus silk apron (gurmel fosch da ondes) covers the black skirt with numerous folds (sciossa). Grandfathers wear a shirt (ciamëija), a silk handkerchief worn around their neck (fazuel de sëida) and a gilet (camesëul de sëida): just like any other man of the area, they wear leather trousers (brea de pel). The long mantel which he carries with him is called bagana: you can also see the silk handkerchief around his neck at the back, thanks to a cut in the cloth of the mantel. The “ciauzei dal lac” are typical male shoes with laces. Traditions and their costumes TRADITIONS & COSTUMES
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