Dwiyet Accessories

PETTICOAT (Jupon )The Dwiyet is worn over a cotton petticoat which extends all the way to the floor. In Dominica, the petticoats were always made with white cotton and dressed up with cotton lace, insertion lace and baby ribbon. This petticoat is properly starched and ironed so that a swishing sound is heard when the wearer moves about. It is often said that a starched petticoat that cannot stand on its own when ironed, is too soft. Local cassava starch (moosash) or moment starch is used for starching. Spray starch is used for light touch-ups. To increase ease of ironing, candle wax is often grated and added to the starch during preparation. The melting wax helps the iron to glide easily over the fabric. The lace at the base of the pettiocoat is pleated accordion style.Presently, coloured petticoats are being used, in addition to the basic white ones.

FOULARD (SCARF)The foulard or scarf is worn over the shoulders and is fastened to the front of the dress. It may be triangular or round. The foulard should complement the colours of the dwiyet abd should not match but clash to create an outstanding picture. The foulard may be secured by tying in the belt of the dwiyet or fastening with brooches, fasteners or saftey pins.

HEADPIECE

Only two styles should be worn on the head when wearing the dwiyet: The tete en l’air and the tete case. The tete en l’air is a flat hat-like headpiece tied once by an accomplished practitioner. This headpiece can last for years if care for properly.The tete case is a style tied on the wearer’s head at the time it is to be worn. The finished headpiece is seen in the photo

About Delia Cuffy-Weekes

I love traditional things with a passion – I am from Grand Bay and I do my best to educate other people on our culture and preservation of same. I am the President of the Roseau Cultural Group and we continue trying to maintain the things that make us truly Dominican.

In the future (near I hope) we plan to produce a booklet describing the traditional wear through the years and placing it in context so people will better understand our history. Would like to do a video as well to present a well rounded package.

http://www.dominican-diaspora.com/profile/DeliaCuffyWeekes