Each village has its own set of colors and cloth patterns, worn by all the women. At a glance they can identify whether someone is from their village or one nearby.

Fewer and fewer men are wearing tipico these days but almost all women still do, at least outside the largest cities. For a women to stop wearing her town's colors would be a slap in the face of all her neighbors. The clothes are very complicated to make, so each outfit represents a substantial investment in time or money.