Question #49840. Asked by chris42.
Last updated Oct 12 2016.
kerry8888
Answer has 6 votes
Currently Best Answer
kerry8888 22 year member
311 replies
Answer has 6 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
Ecuador
The straw in Panama hats comes from the leaves of the carludovica palmata or "paja toquilla", a type of palm indigenous to Ecuador. The art of weaving the straw has flourished along the Ecuadorian Coast since the 1600's. Over generations, master craftsmen perfected many of the delicate weaves we see in only the finest Panama hats.
Response last updated by gtho4 on Oct 12 2016.
Jun 08 2003, 2:55 PM
mochyn
Answer has 4 votes
mochyn 22 year member
1206 replies
Answer has 4 votes.
Ecuador
A Panama hat or just Panama is a traditional brimmed hat of Ecuadorian origin that is made from the plaited leaves of the toquilla straw plant (Carludovica palmata). Straw hats woven in Ecuador, like many other 19th and early 20th century South American goods, were shipped first to the Isthmus of Panama before sailing for their destinations in Asia, the rest of the Americas, and Europe. For some products, the name of their point of international sale rather than their place of domestic origin stuck, hence “Panama hats.”