Raffia Straw

• Ecuadorian “Panama” hats have a truly revolutionary history. A Panama is a traditionally brimmed hat of Ecuadorian origin that’s made from the plated leaves of the toquilla straw plant.
• The hats are also known as Jipijapa, named for a town in Ecuador once a center of the hat trade.
• Ecuadorian national hero and emblematic figure, Eloy Alfaro, helped finance his liberal revolution of Ecuador through the export of Panama hats.