Russian folk costumes from the village of Bolshaya Izhmora in the Kerensky district of the Penza province, now part of the Zemetchinsky district, are considered some of the best in the collection of the Penza Local History Museum. These costumes were collected and preserved thanks to an ethnographic expedition conducted during the height of the Civil War.

In the early 20th century, traditional headwear gradually fell out of fashion, and women began to replace them with decorative shawls. Even then, researchers realized they were studying disappearing phenomena of folk life. The traditional peasant outfit, created in ancient times, not only showcased the wealth, skill, and artistic taste of its owner but also indicated her age, marital status, and place of residence. Every detail had its significance and a strictly defined place in the attire of a Russian peasant woman.

Particular attention was paid to the headwear of a young girl. It was adorned with special care, using rare materials such as silk, braid, and gold embroidery. Among the items collected by ethnographers, women's headpieces known as "venci" stand out. This magnificent adornment emphasized and celebrated the girl ready for marriage and was secured with silk ribbon ties sewn inside. The girl's walk in such headwear became smooth and graceful, as sudden movements could lead to its falling off.

After marriage, during the wedding ceremony, the girl was given a new headpiece, the "horned kichka." This headwear was everyday and used in various situations: working in the field, visiting, in church, and other places. The decorative horns in folk tradition were considered a protective charm symbolizing vitality and fertility.

Over time, such headwear became worn less frequently, and girls began to tie shawls more often. Therefore, today "kichki" and "venci" represent a unique ethnographic value.