Puerto Rican pava, 1996

This pava, a peasant straw hat, was worn by a Puerto Rican delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention, held in Chicago. A cultural symbol, it also represents how the people of Puerto Rico, as both U.S. citizens and residents of a self-governing commonwealth, continue to deal with the issue of national identity. Smithsonian curators attending the convention collected this pava along with other materials representing a variety of delegates and causes.

See also: Hats, Latino History, Political Campaign Memorabilia

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