What is sombrero? The history of one headgear

Maybe you imagine Mexico asthe 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 roaming 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,perhaps, 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 associative relationship 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, one of the first "carriers" of wide-sexThe hats were Mongolian horsemen in the thirteenth century. 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 much 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, so called any hat, which has wide enough fields. A classic sombrero is a headdress with huge fields and a rather high crown. Another hat has a ribbon or string, which tied under the chin. Its fields 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 grandeur 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 afford only 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 hat sombrero in ours with you,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 Panamanian sombrer? 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 inhuge quantities. Along with tequila and ponchos, these hats are traditional souvenirs. But in general, what is sombrero? First of all, this is a very convenient thing! Light, natural, protecting from the summer heat. And the sun in Mexico fires with might and main!

Festivals and weekdays

Не можем не отметить, что такому головному убору, as a sombrero, devoted to the whole festival, held annually in Texas. For the first time it was held in 1986, and since then every year it is visited by up to forty thousand people! And the 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.