Straw Handcrafts in Manabi

Manabi is famous for its straw handicrafts and the most famous of all of them is the Panama hat. The Panama hat is the widely and most popular purchased souvenirs from Ecuador. The Manabi inhabitants have been hand weaving the straw hats for years, and they are truly master weavers. The toquilla palm straws are widely used in Manabi region to weave the Panama hats. Way before the discovery of America by Columbus, pre-Hispanic cultures in Manabi used to weave straw headgear to protect against the heat.

Manabi lies on the northernmost province of Ecuador. It is also well known for its fauna and flora. The town of Montecristi is the home of the famous Panama hat, “Montecristi hat”. Montecristi is where many master artisans live weaving the famous Montecristi hats. Several people in this region have dedicated their lives weaving the Panama straw hats.

The Montecristi Hats are regarded the finest Panama straw hats in the world where people around the world eagerly seek to lay its hand on it. This Panama hat from the Manabi region is the most expensive straw hats. The weaves are so fine that is as supple and soft as silk. The straw hats are also smooth and light as a feather. The Panama hats are also weaved in Cuenca but quality wise the Montecristi hats are more superior. The Cuenca hats are quality straw hats however, the Montecristi hats are still well known for its finer quality weave.

The Panama hat is the famous straw handicraft of the Manabi region, but there are also many other handicrafts that are made out from the toquilla palm straw. The toquilla straws are not confined in making the Panama hats only. You will find baskets, carpets, handbags, bracelets, toys and much more. Next time you are in Manabi, you can pick up many straw handicrafts as a souvenir but don’t forget to pick one Panama straw hats as this is perhaps the most wonderful straw handicraft in the country.