Hawaiian cowboy "papale"-style hat

Hawaiian cowboy "papale"-style hat

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Description
This “papale” style hat is a factory made cloth hat that resembles the earlier Hawaiian “papale” hats worn by paniolo cowboys prior to the mid-1880s. The hats made prior to the mid-1880s were often weaved by a female relative out of dried leaves from the native pandanus tree. Currently papale weaving is a rare and dying art form, which is uncommon skillset. The cloth hat worn by Masatsu “Masa” Kawamoto shows the effect of industrialization on Hawaiian society after the 1880s. The hat was an essential piece of the paniolo cowboy’s clothing because it was used as protection against the different weather conditions that cowboys experience.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
hat
date made
ca.1940
place made
United States: Hawaii, Hawaii
Associated Place
Philippines
Physical Description
natural fibers (overall material)
cloth (part material)
leather (part material)
thread (part material)
Measurements
overall: 14 15/32 in x 13 1/2 in x 4 in; 36.7538 cm x 34.29 cm x 10.16 cm
ID Number
2012.0205.05
accession number
2012.0205
catalog number
2012.0205.05
subject
Cowboy
See more items in
Work and Industry: Asian Pacific American Business
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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