The chupalla () is a traditional Chilean horseman's hat made of straw. Many people in rural areas of

Central Chile Central Chile (''Zona central'') is one of the five natural regions into which CORFO divided continental Chile in 1950. It is home to a majority of the Chilean population and includes the three largest metropolitan areas—Santiago, Valparaí ...

use it as well. In addition, it is often used when dancing the

cueca Cueca () is a family of musical styles and associated dances from Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. In Chile, the cueca holds the status of national dance, where it was officially declared as such by the Pinochet dictatorship on September 18, 19 ...

(a Chilean folk dance) and during

Chilean rodeo Rodeo is a traditional equestrian sport in Chile, declared the national sport in 1962. Chilean rodeo is different from the rodeo found in North America. The sport, in its modern form, is strictly regulated. Chilean Horses are used exclusiv ...

s. The name chupalla comes from ''achupalla'', a local name given to a bromelia plant that was used to make these hats. Today, chupallas are made of various types of straw, including

rice Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...

and

wheat Wheat is a group of wild and crop domestication, domesticated Poaceae, grasses of the genus ''Triticum'' (). They are Agriculture, cultivated for their cereal grains, which are staple foods around the world. Well-known Taxonomy of wheat, whe ...

. The phrase ''"por la chupalla"'' may be heard frequently in Chile, especially from the elderly. It is an

interjection An interjection is a word or expression that occurs as an utterance on its own and expresses a spontaneous feeling, situation or reaction. It is a diverse category, with many different types, such as exclamations ''(ouch!'', ''wow!''), curses (''da ...

which is equivalent to the phrase "for Pete's sake!". The chupalla has a flat top and a perfectly circular rim.

Cultural Significance

The chupalla is more than just a hat; it is a symbol of Chilean cultural identity, particularly associated with the

huaso A ''huaso'' () is a Chilean countryman and skilled horseman, similar to the United States, American cowboy, the Mexico, Mexican ''charro'' (and its northern equivalent, the ''vaquero''), the ''gaucho'' of Argentina, Uruguay and Rio Grande Do S ...

, the Chilean cowboy. Traditionally worn during rural festivities, rodeos, and the national dance, the cueca, the chupalla represents the rustic charm and heritage of Chile's central valleys. Its design, featuring a flat top and wide brim, is both functional for sun protection and emblematic of the Chilean countryside's aesthetic. The hat's enduring presence in Chilean society underscores its role as a cultural icon, bridging the past with contemporary traditions.https://fazbuy.com/blogs/fashion-terms/what-is-chupalla-hat-fashion-terms-explained?srsltid=AfmBOopUo-abFOJYY8IdnHkvZ5nQNVx9zFUIZoCPyRBr39cAVe40xKZ6

References

Hats Rider apparel Culture of Chile Chilean clothing Rodeo in Chile {{Clothing-stub *

Cultural Significance

See also

References