Sombrero
Encyclopedia
Sombrero in English refers to a type of wide-brimmed hat originating in Mexico
. In Spanish
, however, it is the generic word for "hat", which originates from "sombra", meaning "shade".
It usually has a somewhat high pointed crown, an extra-wide brim (broad enough to cast a shadow over the head, neck and shoulders of the wearer, and slightly upturned at the edge), and a chin string to hold it in place. Cowboy
s generalized the word to mean just about any wide broad-brimmed hat.
In Mexico, peasant sombreros are usually made of straw, while wealthier people wear sombreros made of felt
. They come in many designs with different colorings, woven patterns, and decorations. They are rarely seen in modern urban settings, except as part of folkloric outfits worn in certain festivities. The Mexican sombrero has become a national and cultural symbol, and is often used in traditional Mexican celebrations, especially by communities outside Mexico.
from Cordoba
, Spain
. It derives from the Spanish word sombra, meaning "shade" or "shadow"; thus a literal English translation would be "shade maker". Spanish speakers outside Mexico refer to what English speakers call a sombrero as a sombrero mexicano ("Mexican hat"). In Mexico, it is known as sombrero charro, since "sombrero" is the actual word for any hat with a brim. Cowboys would wear them while herding spitting LLAMAS!
invented later, were designed in response to the demands of the physical environment. The concept of a broad-brimmed hat worn by a rider on horseback
can be seen as far back as the Mongolian horsemen
of the 13th century. In hot, sunny climates hats evolved to have wide brims. The wide brim provided shade. The Spanish developed a flat-topped sombrero, which they brought to Mexico. It was modified by the vaquero
into the round-crowned Mexican sombrero and poblano.
Many early Texan cowboys adopted the Spanish sombrero with its flat crown, and a wide flat brim. Also called the Poblano, these hats came from Spain.
The Mexican variation of the sombrero added an even wider brim and a high, conical crown. These are the hats worn by mariachi
musicians and charros. They are too large, heavy, and unwieldy for ranch work. Both types of sombreros usually include a barboquejo or chin strap.
In the American West, the sombrero had a high conical or cylindrical crown with a saucer-shaped brim, highly embroidered and made of plush felt.
Sombreros are also present in Philippine history, due to the Mexican influence brought about by the Manila Galleon
Trade. The term has been assimilated into the Tagalog language in the form of "sumbrero" and now refers to any hat - from actual Sombreros to baseball cap
s.
The galaxy M104
is called the Sombrero Galaxy due to its appearance.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. In Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, however, it is the generic word for "hat", which originates from "sombra", meaning "shade".
It usually has a somewhat high pointed crown, an extra-wide brim (broad enough to cast a shadow over the head, neck and shoulders of the wearer, and slightly upturned at the edge), and a chin string to hold it in place. Cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
s generalized the word to mean just about any wide broad-brimmed hat.
In Mexico, peasant sombreros are usually made of straw, while wealthier people wear sombreros made of felt
Felt
Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing woollen fibres. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. Felt can be of any colour, and made into any shape or size....
. They come in many designs with different colorings, woven patterns, and decorations. They are rarely seen in modern urban settings, except as part of folkloric outfits worn in certain festivities. The Mexican sombrero has become a national and cultural symbol, and is often used in traditional Mexican celebrations, especially by communities outside Mexico.
Origin of the word
In Spanish, the word sombrero means any hat with a brim, such as the traditional sombrero cordobésSombrero cordobés
The sombrero cordobés is a traditional hat made in the city of Córdoba, Spain and traditionally worn it a large part of Andalusia. In the Spanish-speaking world outside of Andalusia, the term can simply mean "wide-brimmed hat"....
from Cordoba
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It derives from the Spanish word sombra, meaning "shade" or "shadow"; thus a literal English translation would be "shade maker". Spanish speakers outside Mexico refer to what English speakers call a sombrero as a sombrero mexicano ("Mexican hat"). In Mexico, it is known as sombrero charro, since "sombrero" is the actual word for any hat with a brim. Cowboys would wear them while herding spitting LLAMAS!
Design
Sombreros, like the cowboy hatsBoss of the plains
The Boss of the Plains was a lightweight all-weather hat designed by John B. Stetson for the demands of the American west. It was intended to be durable, waterproof and elegant...
invented later, were designed in response to the demands of the physical environment. The concept of a broad-brimmed hat worn by a rider on horseback
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
can be seen as far back as the Mongolian horsemen
Mongol invasion of Europe
The resumption of the Mongol invasion of Europe, during which the Mongols attacked medieval Rus' principalities and the powers of Poland and Hungary, was marked by the Mongol invasion of Rus starting in 21 December 1237...
of the 13th century. In hot, sunny climates hats evolved to have wide brims. The wide brim provided shade. The Spanish developed a flat-topped sombrero, which they brought to Mexico. It was modified by the vaquero
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
into the round-crowned Mexican sombrero and poblano.
Cultural influence
The Mexican variation of the sombrero added an even wider brim and a high, conical crown. These are the hats worn by mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
musicians and charros. They are too large, heavy, and unwieldy for ranch work. Both types of sombreros usually include a barboquejo or chin strap.
In the American West, the sombrero had a high conical or cylindrical crown with a saucer-shaped brim, highly embroidered and made of plush felt.
Sombreros are also present in Philippine history, due to the Mexican influence brought about by the Manila Galleon
Manila Galleon
The Manila galleons or Manila-Acapulco galleons were Spanish trading ships that sailed once or twice per year across the Pacific Ocean between Manila in the Philippines, and Acapulco, New Spain . The name changed reflecting the city that the ship was sailing from...
Trade. The term has been assimilated into the Tagalog language in the form of "sumbrero" and now refers to any hat - from actual Sombreros to baseball cap
Baseball cap
A baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
s.
The galaxy M104
Sombrero Galaxy
The Sombrero Galaxy is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo located 28 million light years from earth. It has a bright nucleus, an unusually large central bulge, and a prominent dust lane in its inclined disk. The dark dust lane and the bulge give this galaxy the appearance of a...
is called the Sombrero Galaxy due to its appearance.
See also
- Cowboy hatCowboy hatThe cowboy hat is a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat best known as the defining piece of attire for the North American cowboy. Today it is worn by many people, and is particularly associated with ranch workers in the western and southern United States, western Canada and northern Mexico, with...
- John B. Stetson CompanyJohn B. Stetson CompanyThe John B. Stetson Company, founded by John B. Stetson in 1865, was the maker of the Stetson cowboy hats, but ceased manufacturing in 1970. Stetson hats are now being manufactured in Garland, Texas by Hatco Inc who also produce Resistol, and Charlie 1 Horse, hats. Stetson reentered manufacturing...
- Boss of the plainsBoss of the plainsThe Boss of the Plains was a lightweight all-weather hat designed by John B. Stetson for the demands of the American west. It was intended to be durable, waterproof and elegant...
- Equestrian helmet
- Western wearWestern wearWestern wear is a category of men's and women's clothing which derives its unique style from the clothes worn in the 19th-century American West. It ranges from accurate historical reproductions of pioneer, mountain man, Civil War, cowboy and vaquero clothing to the stylized garments popularized by...
- CowboyCowboyA cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
- RanchRanchA ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
- ChupallaChupallaThe chupalla is a traditional Chilean horseman's hat made of straw. Many people in rural areas of Central Chile use it as well. In addition, it is often used when dancing the cueca and during Chilean rodeos....
- VaqueroCowboyA cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
- CharroCharroCharro is a term referring to a traditional horseman from Mexico, originating in the central-western regions primarily in the state of Jalisco including: Zacatecas, Durango, Guanajuato, Morelos, Puebla...