Aalst Gilles in the carnival procession
The Aalst Gilles, with their medieval suits and headgear decked with plumes, are a permanent tradition in the procession of Aalst Carnival. Every year they are ready and they are the first group standing in the row to lead the largest carnival procession in Belgium. With their traditional broom dance, the Gilles from Aalst throw small brooms and onions that they carry in their woven baskets. One of the Gilles' most notable features is their costume. It is decorated with more than 10,000 brightly colored ribbons, that are woven on by hand. The process of making the costume is very labor intensive and requires skill.
