The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared on December 5, 2012 the Ecuadorian toquilla straw hat, misnamed “Panama Hat or Panama Hat”, intangible heritage of mankind. A total of 24 countries comprised the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
They voted in Paris in favor of the inscription of the Ecuadorian straw hat in the Representative List of Intangible Heritage since it meets the following criteria:
“R.1: The knowledge and techniques related to the manufacture of the toquilla straw hat are transmitted from generation to generation and give the depository communities of this traditional practice a feeling of cultural identity and continuity, serving as a reference for the Social cohesion among various groups in the coastal and Andean regions of Ecuador;
R.2: The inscription on the Representative List of the traditional weaving of straw hat, as a practice that fosters intercultural dialogue between different Ecuadorian communities, can raise awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage and promote respect for cultural diversity and the dialogue;
R.3: Safeguard measures include, among other activities, research, revitalization, transmission, dissemination, promotion, development and protection of the traditional fabric, and also reflect the commitment made by the community and the State with the task of transmitting the Knowledge and skills of the new generations;
R.4: Several players in the activities related to the traditional weaving of straw hat have attended a series of workshops to prepare the application and, in addition, a certain number of associations of artisans has given their free, prior and informed consent To the inscription of the element;
R.5: In the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage, administered by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage of Ecuador, several craft techniques have been included used to make the straw hat ”
*Criteria dictated by Unesco
The preparation of this beautiful accessory as it is the Ecuadorian toquilla straw hat is laborious and traditional. Its technique and elaboration is a knowledge transmitted from generation to generation for many centuries ago, which is very much taken into account in Unesco’s decision to name it Intangible Heritage of Humanity.