What is sombrero? The history of one headgear

Maybe you imagine Mexico as a country of cacti, tequila and slums, in which live semi-savages with machetes, and the main means of transportation for them - donkey? This is true to the same extent as the fact that in Russia, the streets are walking bears in boots and balalaika at the ready! However, a wide-brimmed hat, along with tequila, ponchos and machetes - is an integral part of the Mexican culture.

A bit of history

We've all seen it repeatedly - and in movies, and maybe live - this legendary headdress. But even knowing what a sombrero is, we do not always have an idea of its origin. It turns out that the hat has a completely Spanish roots, despite the unconditional association with Mexico. And not by chance! Once in Spain it was an attribute of wealth and luxury. Only very wealthy lords could afford such a wardrobe.

By the way, Mongolian horsemen in the thirteenth century were among the first "bearers" of wide-brimmed hats. After a while their crowns are sharpened, and the fields become wider. In Europe, Spaniards-Vaquero (shepherds) also wore a sombrero. But the appearance of the hat was significantly different from the modern one, and it reminded us of cowboy hats. The Spaniards also came up with a flat tulle, characteristic of the Mexican sombrero.

The meaning of the word "sombrero"

The origin of the concept is also Spanish. In this language, the word "sombra" means "shadow." Today in Spain, any hat with wide enough fields is called that. Classic sombrero is a headdress with huge fields and a rather high crown. Another hat has a ribbon or string, which are tied under the chin. Its margins are slightly turned to throw a shadow on the shoulders and neck of the master. Hence the name.

Such different hats

There is a great variety of species of sombrero. But the common attribute for all real hats is hand work. Notable people wore a sombrero made of felt, felt and velvet, decorated with hand-embroidered embroidery. All the magnificence of the pattern showed the wealth of the man who wore such a hat. Poor people also knew what a sombrero is. But they could only afford wicker hats made of straw. Today, the models of all these headgear are closely related to the traditions and characteristics of various regions of Latin America. And some countries made the cap their national symbol!

Classics of the genre

What is a sombrero hat in our traditional understanding? This, as the Mexicans themselves say, sombrerocharro is a hat with very wide margins. There is still sombrerovueltiao. This headpiece is a part-time official symbol of the state of Colombia. These are black-and-white hats . They are woven from the reed arrows. On the edge of the field there is a bright black edging. What is a sombrero in Panama? Nothing more than a traditional hat of all the inhabitants of this country. Sombrero pintado is also woven by hand. Their quality can be determined by the number of turns - the more, the better, and the higher the value of the thing.

Tourists visiting Mexico, buy up a sombrero in huge quantities. Along with tequila and ponchos, these hats are traditional souvenirs. In general, what is a sombrero? First of all, this is a very convenient thing! Light, natural, protecting from the summer heat. And the sun in Mexico frying with might and main!

Festivals and weekdays

We can not fail to note that an entire festival, held annually in Texas , is devoted to such a headdress as a sombrero . It was first held in 1986, and since then every year it has been visited by up to forty thousand people! And world famous designers use motifs sombrero in their fashion shows. But still the main suppliers of the "sombrero market" are the so-called folk craftsmen, and you can buy this souvenir in all cities and villages, where tourists can only glance.