OUR TYPES OF ROBES

STREET RHYTHMS

24-02-2017

*OUR TYPES OF ROBES*

As it is done in other parts of the world, most choirs also use choir robes as their official uniform for what we may call divine/full services in our Ghanaian churches. There two basic types of robes used; the British and American Styles.

The British-styled robes are common in the ‘Orthodox’ churches. The style originated from Roman Catholicism and developed during the period of Anglicanism in England. This style of robe has a cassock and surplice for men. The cassock and surplice are worn over a white shirt and a black pair of trousers. In addition, either a black flying tie or a bowed tie is worn on the shirt. The women used to dress like the men until there was a change. Now the women usually have either an open/closed-sleeved choir gown and a jabot, worn over an underdress. In addition, the ladies wear a choir hat/cap on their tied hairs – not braided. Sometimes, white gloves are added. The traditional colours of this the cassock, choir gown and choir hat/cap are black and red while that of the surplice and jabot is white.

The American-styled robes originated during the ‘Gospel period’ in America. The new Gospel churches that begun in America adopted this type of robes. This type of robe usually has only a choir gown (similar to an academic gown) and jabot or (and) collar covers for both men and women. Sometimes, the collar covers longer than the jabot; and sometimes too, the jabots and collar covers are sewn on the gown. Choristers are usually allowed to wear their gowns on any underdress; however, in some choirs, there are prescribed underdresses. Unlike the British-styled robe, female choristers can wear their American-styled robes with any hair style – because there is no choir hat/cap attached to this type of robe.

While the British-styled robe has maintained the same style over ages, there are a lot of varied styles of the American-styled robe. One fact about each of these two types of robes is that they have guideline as to how they should be worn and what can be worn with it; each chorister must oblige. However, WHERE NECESSARY, choirs can decide what to omit or add.

Kingsley J.E.K. Acheampong
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