What could be simpler than a poncho? Basically, it's a blanket, or maybe a nylon sheet, with a hole cut in it. What could be more basic?
Yet, even though its construction rarely changes, the poncho has become one of the most versatile, best-loved, and multi-purpose garments in the world, while retaining its homespun simplicity.
How this humble piece of fabric has become a favorite of millions of people worldwide is worth a closer look.
The poncho is generally believed to have originated in South America, although its use as a garment has spread since the 17th century to most parts of the world. The word "poncho" originated with the Mapuche people of the central valley of southern Chile, known for their fierce resistance to Spanish, and then Chilean government control. The Mapuche people wore the "chony," a watertight wool blanket with a slit in it. One of the benefits of the chony was that it covered horse and rider during cold or rainy weather. The Spanish turned the word "chony" into "poncho," and helped start the spread of the poncho throughout the rest of the world.
Traditional ponchos, from the Americas, are as varied as the continent itself.
The classic Andean poncho is made from sheep, alpaca, or llama wool, and is meant to keep the wearer warm in the cold Andean mountains. Usually plain in design, it is typically a reversible garment, with the dark side worn out during the day, and the light side out at night. It is also called a chamanto.In Mexico, the poncho-like garment favored especially by men is called a Zarape, traditionally made in Coahuila in north-eastern Mexico. It is a brightly-colored garment, often consisting of a darker base with bands of bright colors. Frequently fringed at the edges, the zarape combines elements of a traditional Mexican poncho with decorative Mayan influences.
Other regions and countries of Latin America have their own styles and designs of poncho-like garments.
From the small towns and villages of Latin America, the poncho has jumped to the runways of fashion capitals around the world, with some designer ponchos commanding thousands of dollars each. The poncho is an essential item in any organic wardrobe, as well as a favored garment of cosmopolitan fashion trendsetters. In recent years, ponchos have been seen on celebrities from Jennifer Anniston to Jessica Simpson to Kate Moss, and reinterpreted by fashion houses such as Dolce and Gabbana.
The poncho became a staple of military equipment in the American west during the mid-19th century. The success of the poncho as a protective garment for horse riders was known from the days of the Mapuche "chony." Before the Civil War, the U.S. cavalry discovered the same benefits. Muslin cloth was water-proofed with "gutta percha," a form of latex, and these water-resistant ponchos became standard issue in the U.S. army. Later versions were made of rubberized canvas.
In the hands of the military, both in the U.S. and overseas, the ever-versatile poncho began to take on several new roles. It was quickly adapted as an alternative ground sheet, especially in wet weather. By World War II, the German army introduced a "shelter half," or a poncho that could be adapted for shelter, by snapping together two matching ponchos to create a simple tent structure.
From the Andean mountains, where alpaca ponchos kept villagers warm, to the battlefields of Europe, where waterproof poncho tents kept soldiers dry at night, the poncho continued its advance as one of the world's most simple, yet versatile garments.
Today, the amazing poncho has spread into many corners of human activity. New materials, including nylon and pvc, mean that ponchos can be lightweight, waterproof, and durable - qualities that have made the poncho a favored garment in many situations. Campers, hikers, climbers, bicyclists, rescue workers, and many others include the poncho in their emergency kits. At Disney world, when the skies open, thousands of clear, plastic ponchos, adorned with images of Mickey, appear as if by magic. Meanwhile, in the NFL, every team has its own poncho adorned with the team logo, ready for the fans when the weather turns bad.
From mountain villages in Peru to football stadiums in the U.S., from the runways of fashion to far off disaster sites, the poncho is an unassuming yet ever-present garment. Depending on what the occasion calls for, ponchos can provide style, or warmth, or dryness, or even shelter. Among the vast array of garments in the world, the poncho holds a unique, even remarkable place.
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