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Confection
The process to produce a Sombrero Vueltiao isn't an easy one. First the caña flecha (Gynerium sagitatum) leaves have to be obtained and the vein must be removed using a knife and a piece of leather to obtain sturdy strips. The strips are then dried in the sun until they turn from green to beige or white, after which they are sorted according to their color. The beige or sucias (the "dirty ones"), are then soaked in a sand-free black mud. After about three or four days in the black mud, the tinted veins are washed thoroughly with cold water and boiled in a pot in presence of vija, another wild plant, for at least a couple of hours. After this, the tinted strips are once again dried by exposing to the hot tropical sun for quite a while and the cycle is repeated until they have reached a uniform black color.
After this lengthy process the caña flecha strips are weaved into braids that are used to form the sombrero (hat). This can take many days depending on the quality that is desired. Once achieved then the construction of the hat continues with the part known as olma (central part at the top) which is the first ring of the hat. Later comes the crown of the hat followed by the wings. Once this manual part is finished, the works is completed using a foot driven sewing machine and the hat sewn all together.
Types of Sombreros
The Quinciano: is the most commercially available Sombrero Vueltiao produced and also the cheapest, being manufactured in just three days. These hats have a lose braid and only use 15 pairs of caña flecha strands to make the weave.
The Diecinueve: called like this because it uses 19 pairs of caña flecha strands to produce a much finer braid that will produce a softer and much finer Sombrero Vueltiao. They can take up to a week to produce by hand.
The Veintiuno: this Sombrero Vueltiao uses 21 pairs of caña flecha strands per weave and produces an extremely fine braid that makes this Sombrero Vueltiao a real work of art to own. These hats are usually custom made to order and can take up to 10 to 15 days to produce by hand.
The Veintitres: like it's name says, it uses 23 pairs of caña flecha strands in its construction. Like the Veintiuno, ii's very fine and notably softer to the touch and so light weight that it can barely be felt on the head when worn. They can take up to 12 to 20 days to make from scratch.
The Veintisiete: without a doubt the finest Sombrero Vueltiao of them all, it uses 27 pairs of caña flecha strands in the weave that produces these super fine hats, being so fine that they can be folded up and put in a pocket without damaging them. They are also very soft to touch and with such a tight weave that if held up against the sun the sunlight won't penetrate through. The best of the best, but also the most expensive. They can take up a month to produce by hand.
National Symbol of Colombia
The popularity of the Sombrero Vueltiaos, have with the passing of time, stopped being just a hat that was used by Colombian farmers and peasant to do their everyday choirs in the fields. To a hat, that today is so sought after, that they've practically out of the price range of these same local Colombian farmers.
These special handmade hats produced by Zenú indigenous tribes have turned into one of the most admired and appreciated works of art not only by Colombians but also by many people around the world.
Most of these handmade hats are produced by entire Zenú families located in the Departments of Cordoba and Sucre, who all, in one form or another, have some dedication in the elaboration of these fine hats.
This Culture Symbol of a Nation from the Departments of Córdoba and Sucre, have been worn and owned by hundreds of personalities like Pope John Paul II when he visited Colombia in 1986, to former President of the United States, Bill Clinton when he visited Cartagena, Colombia in August 2000.
References
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