El sombrero panameno
A Panama hat (sombrero panameno) is a traditional brimmed straw hat of Ecuadorian origin that is made from the plaited leaves of the Carludovica palmata plant, known locally as the toquilla palm or jipijapa palm, although it is a palm-like plant rather than a true palm.
Panama hats are light-colored, lightweight, and breathable, and often worn as accessories to summer-weight suits, such as those made of linen or silk. Beginning around the turn of the 20th century, panamas began to be associated with the seaside and tropical locales.
Panama hats are woven. Weaving is a family tradition that starts at early ages. This art has passed from generation to generation for more than 400 years.
Before starting the weaving, the strands are selected according to the whitening, dimension and fineness of the fibers.
To start, the center of the crown is created using few fibers, after more straws are added to form the crown, hat body (using a wooden form to shape it) and brim. All the weaving is made by hands.
To finish the weave, special interweaving is made to the edge of the brim. This is a special characteristic of a hand-finished panama hat by artisans in Ecuador.
The quantity of fronds used to produce a hat determines its quality. The finer the strands and larger numbers used, determines the final quality of the hat.
At this stage, the weavers sell the unfinished hats to the middle-man or directly to the wholesalers who do the finishing.
Preguntas:
1. Are Panama hats made in Panama?
2. True or false: Panama hats are made in a factory.
3. Weaving is a tradition that has been passed down from generations for more than _________ years.
Panama hats are light-colored, lightweight, and breathable, and often worn as accessories to summer-weight suits, such as those made of linen or silk. Beginning around the turn of the 20th century, panamas began to be associated with the seaside and tropical locales.
Panama hats are woven. Weaving is a family tradition that starts at early ages. This art has passed from generation to generation for more than 400 years.
Before starting the weaving, the strands are selected according to the whitening, dimension and fineness of the fibers.
To start, the center of the crown is created using few fibers, after more straws are added to form the crown, hat body (using a wooden form to shape it) and brim. All the weaving is made by hands.
To finish the weave, special interweaving is made to the edge of the brim. This is a special characteristic of a hand-finished panama hat by artisans in Ecuador.
The quantity of fronds used to produce a hat determines its quality. The finer the strands and larger numbers used, determines the final quality of the hat.
At this stage, the weavers sell the unfinished hats to the middle-man or directly to the wholesalers who do the finishing.
Preguntas:
1. Are Panama hats made in Panama?
2. True or false: Panama hats are made in a factory.
3. Weaving is a tradition that has been passed down from generations for more than _________ years.