Rebozo-english

Mexican Rebozo.

Another symbol of Mexican identity is the rebozo, which is rectangular in shape, elongated, narrow, one-piece and terminated at each end with knotted and fringes, but also woven endings are made with attractive designs in beadwork. They may have different sizes and are made from different materials depending on their use, daily, or gala, so they can be cotton, wool or silk and thus varies its cost.

Origin of the rebozo.

As for its origin there are different explanations. Some claim that comes from the East, as the ascetics in ancient Persia, used covered with a kind of cloak that ended up becoming the elegant shawl. This cloak became popular later in Spain and when the conquistadors arrived in Mexico in 1519, the pledge was already part of the Iberian outfit ladies who used a blanket to cover her head.

Others believe that the early history of the rebozo back to pre-Hispanic times, on the tilma or ayate, ixtle greatcoat, made on backstrap looms, used indiscriminately by men and women to keep warm. The tilma also served to transport goods, like the mamatl, rectangular canvas. For others, the merger of these garments are the roots of rebozo, as mestizo as Mexicans.

Upon completion of the conquest of Mexico, the Spanish imposed prohibitions in the sixteenth century to subdue and assimilate native peoples, indigenous customs and costumes were no exception and the use of the tilma was pursued. For this reason, women redesigned this garment, making it longer and narrower, besides embellishing with dyes and geometric designs. Thus, the rebozo became an unusual resistance expression and identity.

At this time the batter was produced according to the social position of its owner; women of lower social strata wore a blanket of cotton predominating a striped rebozo ikat patterned or embroidered with a short fringe wearing only a knotted peaks; for the upper class were sent to the rebozo with silk, with accessories, gold and silver, embroidered with other metals and colors, but these tidbits did not satisfy the taste of the ladies, who influenced by the baroque era, enriched these pieces with openwork evocations of landscapes and scenes from everyday life. In the eighteenth century the rebozo was an element in common use among women of the colony, it reached such importance that laws were passed during this century and rules for drawing in size, fabric, thread and drawing class.

By the nineteenth century the rebozo was part of the essential dress of women, even in the revolutionary photographs can be seen carrying the women soldiers traditional rebozos of pellet.

In the twentieth century Frida Kahlo became the iconic figure in the use of the rebozo, carrying garment looks in several of her self-portraits and photographs of the time, although it is also seen as an element in several of her paintings.

 

Whatever its origin, the magical colorful rebozo identifies Mexican women in the world. In its original version the same protected women from heat than cold, he used to carry both their children as objects. Depending on their size and raw material it was used daily or for special celebrations, including part of regional costumes of Mexico.

In addition to all these uses that can give the rebozo is a good gift for a woman.