1. The Beret

2. We understand as beret the hat with a form of a bag and a semicircular end, destinated to cover the head. The size and the colour change depending on the places and the times. It’s made of wool, worked with needle point, very thick and sometimes with tassel.

3. Its origin is in Turkey. The use of the beret was general to all Mediterranean ports. In the relating of the victories of Ramses I (1430-1380 BC), slaves and prisoners have the beret of the Mediterranean marine. There are coins that were found in the phonic Necropolis in Malaga, have figures wearing this kind of hat. The beret was introduced in Catalonia before the Greek colonization. The Romans used to give the beret to their servants when they get the freedom, and it’s why the beret is a freedom symbol.

4. The use of the beret was widespread in Catalonia in the eighteenth and nineteenth century, and disappeared from our countryside and valleys of the Pyrenees during the first half of last century, except in some places, the least, where it made during the second half of the twentieth century.

5. The beret has changed a lot since the beginnings. It has adopted different forms and colours depending the job, social status and the civil condition of the provider. The purple beret was common of the lord and master, and the red beret was worn by the young guys.

6. Nowadays, we can say that the beret is still alive despite having been, largely relegated to a symbolic role and folklore. So nowadays is used at the caramelles, the three tombs, cribs and shepherds living-not to mention the Tió from Christmas, groups of Sardana, giants, pilgrimages, several protest demonstrations and sporting events.