The vueltiao hat

The ‘ Sombrero Vueltiao’ (turned) hat is the most representative of Colombia artisan products and was chosen as the national symbol of the country.

The hats, which date back to pre-Hispanic times, are made by the artisans of the indigenous, Zenú communities with fibres from caña flecha, a palm found in the department of Cordoba. After drying the palm leaves, the veins are removed and the leaves cut into uniform strips, some of which are then soaked for several days in black mud, washed and then boiled in vija, a wild plant . This processed is repeated until the strips become black.  Black and white strips are then braided and the braids are used to form the hat.

The quality of the hat depends on the number of pairs of strips that are braided and can vary from11 to 27, the finest, most flexible and softest to the touch.

While originally used by the Zenú communities for protection against the sun, the hat is now used all over Colombia and also exported. Bill Clinton and Prince Charles  are among the celebrity owners, of the finest quality hats as was Pope John Paul II.