Kiekie (clothing)

A kiekie is a Tongan dress, an ornamental girdle around the waist, mainly worn by women on semiformal occasions, but nowadays also sometimes by men.

At casual occasions no girdle is needed for any gender, although women may continue wearing a kiekie even then, as it is considered an easy sitting, nice looking decoration, with which one can show off.

The strings can be short as a mini skirt, or down to the ankles, but down to somewhat above the knees is most common.

Kiekie are part of the koloa, the handicraft goods made by the women.

Every woman can do it, although nowadays we see that some women specialise in it and sell their products on the market.