Reading

Knowing Ecuador
Handmade Straw Hats from Toquilla Straw

UNIT 1
UNIT 1
Reading – Knowing Ecuador
Handmade Straw Hats from Toquilla Straw

Source: www.goraymi.com
The renowned "Panama Hat" or "Toquilla Straw Hats" are produced in
Ecuador in the provinces of Manabí and Azuay. Their quality and design
transcend Ecuadorian borders, reaching stores in Boston, New York, and
Paris.

What you should know:

Toquilla straw is used to weave hats and a variety of crafts that also involve
wicker weaving.
Mocora hats, cabuya hammocks, bags, baskets, replicas of pre-Columbian
clay objects, and beautiful carvings made of tagua, vegetable ivory,
seashells, or other naturally sourced materials are part of this tradition in the
southern region of Ecuador and the province of Manabí.
Toquilla straw comes from the "Carludovica Palmata" palm, which is also
found in Andean countries like Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. However, it is in
Ecuador where the work of these artisans has become an industry that
exports this product and serves as an economic boost for several families
involved.
The traditional weaving of the Ecuadorian toquilla straw hat (2012), along
with the Historic Center of Quito (1978), the Galapagos Islands (1979),
Sangay National Park (1983), the Historic Center of Cuenca (1999), the Oral
Heritage and Cultural Manifestations of the Zápara people (2001), the
Qhapaq Ñan or Inca Trail (2014), and Marimba Music (2015), are part of the 8
World Heritages under the custody of Ecuador, declared by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Cuenca is home to the Museum of the Toquilla Straw Hat, a place that
brilliantly summarizes the history and evolution of this craftsmanship, a pride
of Ecuador.

Toquilla Straw Hats:

The hat loved by Hollywood stars is not Panamanian; it is 100% Ecuadorian.
Made from toquilla straw, it has been known worldwide as the "Panama Hat,"
but it is handmade in Ecuadorian towns like Jipijapa, Montecristi (Manabí
province), and Sigsig (Azuay province).
Its quality is undeniable and has been appreciated by artists, politicians,
writers, and musicians such as Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway,
Winston Churchill, Paul Newman, Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp, Bruno Mars,
and many more celebrities who have worn a piece of Ecuador on their heads.
One of the latest celebrities photographed wearing an Ecuadorian toquilla
straw hat was the lead singer of the American band Aerosmith.
More than a garment made in Ecuador, it is a living expression of the Intangi-
ble Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This was declared by UNESCO on Decem-
ber 6, 2012.
It is made by braiding and shaping the fibers of the toquilla palm. The higher
the number of fibers per square inch, the higher the quality.
Hats are an essential piece when going to the beach, for health and aesthe-
tics. In the past, they were more discreet and smaller. Times have changed,
and the models have grown. Originally, the toquilla straw hat was only worn
by men, but over the years, it has reached women's fashion. Additionally,
there are different options in accessories such as earrings, handbags, berets,
baskets, and bags that incorporate it into their designs. One of the favorites
for this summer is the Malakíta handbags, perfect for use at the beach or for
any fresh and fun look.
Museum of the Toquilla Straw Hat:
Located in the Paredes Roldán house, an interesting historical building with
over 150 years of history, the Museum of the Toquilla Straw Hat is an ideal
space for those who want to thoroughly understand the history and reality
of one of the most fascinating activities in the country.
The museum was born as an initiative of the Paredes Roldán family, which
has been dedicated to the production of toquilla straw hats in Cuenca since
the mid-20th century. The possibility of valuing this activity for tourism led
to the creation of a space in 2007 that aimed to teach, in a didactic and
experiential way, the reality of the toquilla straw hat in Ecuador.
In the first room of the museum, visitors will find an entertaining display of
three-dimensional paintings where they can take photos and achieve inte-
resting effects with landscapes in the background. Next, there is a room dis-
playing the tools used to make custom hats and another room where a tradi-
tional workshop has been replicated. Then, a creatively decorated space
allows visitors to understand the first steps in making the hat: harvesting and
processing the fibers of the Carludovica Palmata and weaving the Ecuado-
rian hat in the hands of the artisans.
After visiting the initial rooms, it is possible to access the factory, where the
third step takes place: the actual making of the garment from the manually
woven straw in an artisanal manner. Here, visitors can observe the work done
with "maceteadoras" machines, steam presses, and the assembly of hat-
bands and hatbands. There is also an exhibition and sales area where the fini-
shed products can be admired, showcasing a wide variety of styles and de-
signs. The museum is complemented by a cafeteria and a terrace viewpoint
with a magnificent view of the Tomebamba River and the southern part of
Cuenca. There is also a gallery where occasional art exhibitions are held.
True or False Questions:
1. The "Panama Hat" or "Toquilla Straw Hats" are produced in Ecuador.

2. The straw used to make the hats is called toquilla straw.

3. The hats are only produced in the provinces of Pichincha and Guayas.

4. The paja toquilla straw comes from the Carludovica Palmata palm.

5. Ecuador is the only country where these hats are produced.

6. The UNESCO declared the toquilla straw hat as an Intangible Cultural

Heritage of Humanity in 2012.

7. Toquilla straw hats were originally worn by women.

8. The Museum of the Toquilla Straw Hat is located in Jipijapa.

9. The museum showcases the entire process of making the hats, from fiber
processing to the final product.

10. The museum also includes a cafeteria and a terrace with a scenic view.

ANSWER KEY
10. TRUE

9. TRUE

8. FALSE

7. FALSE

6. TRUE

5. FALSE

4. TRUE

3. FALSE

2. TRUE

TRUE 1.