PERU - I returned from Peru wondering why the people love hats so much.
Often brought home by tourists, the most popular hat is the chullo, a knitted cap with ear flaps, made from sheep, llama or alpaca wool.
Though this hat is fashionable around the world today, it wasn’t always so. Originally worn only by men, every community had its own chullo colour and pattern.
Made traditionally by a father for his son, a man was ready to marry only when he was able to knit a chullo by himself.
The women of Peru proudly wear many kinds of hats.
Like chullos, each mountain community has its own unique design and colour. Social status and community are displayed for all to see.
The bowler hat is seen everywhere.
It was originally introduced to Peru by British railway workers.
Local lore has it that a shipment of bowler hats was destined for European rail workers. But these were too small for the workers, so a Bolivian wholesaler bought the lot and turned the mistake into a fashion statement.
If worn brown or green, the woman is from the Andes. Perched on the side of the head, the wearer is either single or widowed.
If on top of the head, she is married. Legend has it that women who wear this style of hat have no problem with fertility.
In the high plateaus of the Andes, I saw women wearing large, flat hats covered with a doily. A large embroidered and fringed piece of cloth sits on top of the hat.
It’s often either brilliant yellow or peacock blue, and hanging from under these hats are often thick black braids. Both hat and braids swing with the wearer’s movements.
In Peru’s Sacred Valley, women wear a montera, a large red felt hat. I tried one on. It was heavy!
The hat sits on top of the head, the wide brim providing protection from sun and rain. Embroidered designs cover the brim and top.
Here again, each community has its own pattern.
Women, weaving on handheld looms in the Sacred Valley’s Ollantaytambo market, wear smaller red monteras.
These are topped with silk flowers, the hat held in place by a chin strap. The colourful hat sits jauntily on the side of the head.
Stovepipe Stetsons, tall white hats, are usually worn by upper class women of Inca and Spanish ancestry. Our Cuzco city guide wears her white hat on Sundays and special occasions.
To see a full display of hats festooned with ribbons, sequins and flowers, one has to attend a festival in Peru.
Women and girls compete for the most decorated headgear.
It’s obvious that hats in Peru are a source of pride, identity, and serious business!
Mirjam Rand is an Innisfail and area writer and photographer who visited Peru and left awe of the love hats shown by the citizens of Peru.
