Prayer costume of an elderly Old Believer woman. Leningrad Region, Boksitogorsk District

Karelians: Tikhvin Karelians

1930–1960s

The women's prayer dress, popular among the Tikhvin Karelian Old Believers, was an important ethno-confessional symbol. The social structure of the Karelian Old Believer community was divided into "believers," "newlyweds," and "lay" groups. Only women from the "believers" group had the right to wear the prayer dress presented here. In the 20th century, this ancient religious ensemble became the dress of elderly Karelian women, and during the same period, the prayer dress began to be used as funeral attire.

Costume, women's