Chullo
Encyclopedia
Chullo (ˈtʃuʎo, from ) is an andean
style of hat
with earflaps, made from vicuña
, alpaca
, llama
or sheep's wool
. Alpaca has wool-like qualities that help to insulate its wearer from the harsh elements in the Andean Mountain
region. Chullos often have ear-flaps that can be tied under the chin, to further warm the wearer's head.
Chullos have been used in the Andean Mountain
region since pre-Hispanic times and wearing different types and colors has a significance among the Andean natives.
, Chile
and Peru
. Many metropolitan area
s in the Western world
have street vendors from Bolivia and Peru who set up tables on which they sell chullos and wallets that have been made in either country. In North America they are often referred to as Incan (or Inca) Hats, and sometimes as Sherpa Hats, as this type of hat also exists in Nepal, being worn by Nepali people; especially in the Himalayan Region.
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
style of hat
Hat
A hat is a head covering. It can be worn for protection against the elements, for ceremonial or religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status...
with earflaps, made from vicuña
Vicuña
The vicuña or vicugna is one of two wild South American camelids, along with the guanaco, which live in the high alpine areas of the Andes. It is a relative of the llama, and is now believed to share a wild ancestor with domesticated alpacas, which are raised for their fibre...
, alpaca
Alpaca
An alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance.Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, and northern Chile at an altitude of to above sea level, throughout the year...
, llama
Llama
The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times....
or sheep's wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
. Alpaca has wool-like qualities that help to insulate its wearer from the harsh elements in the Andean Mountain
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
region. Chullos often have ear-flaps that can be tied under the chin, to further warm the wearer's head.
Chullos have been used in the Andean Mountain
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
region since pre-Hispanic times and wearing different types and colors has a significance among the Andean natives.
Western fashion
In the late 2000s, the chullo became an extremely popular winter hat; it was seen often in popular culture of the time, arguably made most famous by the popularity of Snowboarding. It remains highly popular in North America, Europe, and of course BoliviaBolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Many metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
s in the Western world
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
have street vendors from Bolivia and Peru who set up tables on which they sell chullos and wallets that have been made in either country. In North America they are often referred to as Incan (or Inca) Hats, and sometimes as Sherpa Hats, as this type of hat also exists in Nepal, being worn by Nepali people; especially in the Himalayan Region.