Pastoralist pride

The name Ciociaria derives precisely from ciòce, the typical footwear of lower Lazio and other regions of southern Italy.  Its shape, most likely, originates from a type of shoe (soccus) used in ancient Rome. Through the centuries, ciòce have been the everyday footwear of farmers and pastoralists: robust and suitable for walking, even on difficult paths. This footwear consisted of a leather triangle closed at the front, slightly pointed, and attached to the sole and leather strings (corregge) that were wrapped around the leg. Usually, ciòce were worn with pèzze —strips of white fabric— wrapped around the entire foot. The main leather piece forming the footwear was slightly curved in the shape of a boat and was provided with strings wrapped around the calf to the knee. Along with ciòce, white wool socks were also worn as a protection against the cold; the guardiamacchia: a goatskin with long hairs was placed —instead— on the pants and tied to the belt and calves.