Salakot
A salakot is a traditional wide-brimmed hat from the Philippines. It is usually made of either rattan or reeds, and is one of the traditional hats worn by Filipinos besides the iconic conical Asian hat of other Southeast and East Asian countries.
History [edit]
Ancient tradition recounts that the first Malay settlers in the archipelago purchased the valleys and plains of Panay island from the native Aetas in exchange for a golden salakot and a very long pearl necklace called a manangyad, which touched the ground when worn by the wife of the Aeta chieftain. The custom of embellishing the salakot developed during the Spanish Regime. Though normally worn by farmers, wealthy and landed Christian Filipinos and mestizos (especially the members of the Principalía) would also wear the salakot. It would be adorned with embossed silver, and sometimes silver coins and pendants were hung from the hat's brim. Many depictions of gobernadorcillos and cabezas de barangay would portray these colnial public functionaries as wearing ornate salakots. It was not uncommon for this class to wear salakots made of more precious materials (like tortoiseshell and precious metals).[1]
Cultural significance [edit]
The salakot is a common symbol for Filipino identity, often worn by the National personification Juan de la Cruz.
References [edit]
- ^ Alfredo R. Roces, et al., eds., Ethnic Headgear in Filipino Heritage: the Making of a Nation, Philippines: Lahing Pilipino Publishing, Inc., 1977, Vol. VI, pp. 1106-1107.
