What is the difference between sarape and poncho (sarape vs poncho)?
Sarape and poncho are Spanish terms commonly used by scholars to describe a blanket woven as a vertical rectangle on the loom. In the English dictionary, the term is spelt as “Serape”.
Poncho and sarape originated from the Americas. It’s believed that the most classic serapes and ponchos date to the 1840s to 1860s. Classic serapes and ponchos were known to have a simple colour palette of white, red, and blue, with a mix of yellow and green.
Late classic serapes had more colour shading and unique designs with isolated motifs and different layouts.
Keep reading to find out more about the difference between sarapes and ponchos.
What Is a Sarape?
The sarape is a Spanish-American blanket commonly worn around the shoulders. It’s a long blanket/cloak worn in the Americas, especially in Mexico.
While serape may appear in the English dictionary, defining a type of blanket worn as a cloak, the spelling of the word sarape or zerape is the accepted term in Mexico as well as other Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
Serape is the term for the rectangular woven blanket with no openings. However, serape in the last few years has been used to refer to a very soft rectangular blanket with an opening in the middle.
The middle opening is designed for one head. Some modern serapes are made with a new design. They are made with matching hoods for head covering.
Modern variations of serapes vary in length, but they are designed in both front and back to reach the knee height of an average person.
Serapes are available in a variety of colours and design patterns. The colours of the long blanket, especially those from the highland regions are two-tone combinations of grey, black, or tan.
The traditional serapes with a dark base colour and bands of yellow, red, blue, green, orange, purple, or other bright colours are made in the Mexican state of Coahuila. Coahuila, a state in northeastern Mexico near the city of Saltillo.
Also Read: Buenos Dias vs Buen Dia: Difference and Comparison
History of Sarapes
It’s believed that the most classic serapes and ponchos dates to the 1840s to 1860s. The long blanket-like shawl/cloak is believed to have its forebears in garments worn near Contla and Chiautempan, Tlaxacala.
According to reliable sources online, the serape was taken to Northern New Spain during the colonial era. In New Spain, the serape was adapted to the climate which led to the motifs changing.
Additionally, the development of the serape is believed to be linked to the city of Teocaltiche, Jalisco.
What Is a Poncho?
A poncho is a simple garment made from a rectangle of cloth, with a slit in the middle, designed for the one’s head. It’s a type of plainly formed outer garment that originated in the Americas.
A poncho is a kind of garment designed to retain and keep the body warm. Ponchos are garments worn by the Native tribes in the Americas. It has been used by the Native American people of the Valley of Mexico, Patagonia, and the Andes.
Ponchos have been used since the pre-Hispanic period, in regions that are now in present-day Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Also, ponchos have become a well-known garment in some parts of the United States. The rain poncho is made from a material designed to keep the body dry from the rain.
Sarape vs Poncho: Traditional Ponchos
Ponchos were one of the popular garments worn in the Americas, especially in several South American and Mexican cultures. There have been various reports about the origin of ponchos.
Some investigations suggest that the origin of ponchos could be Ecuador, Mexico, or Peru. But, there is no evidence to trace where the first ponchos were made.
Ponchos generally originated from the Americas and were worn by the Native American people of the Valley of Mexico, Patagonia, and the Andes.
In the Americas, Ponchos as a traditional clothing has several local names and variants.
- Generally known as Ruana- in cold areas of Columbia and Venezuela
- Ponchos- in most Spanish-speaking countries and worldwide
- Jorongo- a larger or full-length garment often used for special occasions or during horse-back riding in Mexico
- Gaban- in Michoacán, Mexico
- Chamanto- only in Central Chile, while it’s known as poncho in the north and southern regions of the country
- Pala or Poncho- in Brazil, especially in the southern part of the country
- Poncho chilote- this is a heavy woollen poncho of Chiloé Archipelago
- Quenchquémitl- in various Mexican regions
Also Read: Mexico vs Puerto Rico: Difference and Comparison
Sarape vs Poncho: Key Difference between Serape and Ponchos
The sarape is a Spanish-American blanket commonly worn around the shoulders. It’s a long blanket/cloak worn in the Americas, especially in Mexico.
The serape has a vibrant and decorative colour. It represents a traditional Mexican blanket or shawl mainly worn by Mexican men.
In the Americas, the serapes are adorned with patterns and to the Native American people, it’s more than just a functional item. They are traditional garments that show the rich cultural heritage of the Native American people.
Although the serapes are known as a piece of attire worn in the Americas, it can also be used as blankets or home décor.
Another difference between serapes and ponchos is the fabric they are made from. Ponchos can be crafted from materials such as rubber or waterproof fabrics designed to keep one dry in the rain.
The serapes are traditionally woven and are made from cotton or wool.
The serapes and ponchos both originated in the Americas and have roots in Latin American culture. However, the serapes and ponchos generally differ in both design and use.
A poncho is perceived as a protective garment with a simple design. It’s a type of protective garment designed to protect the wearer from rain or cold. Although ponchos originated from the Americans, it’s widely adopted by other cultures around the world.
The serapes and ponchos are from a shared cultural background and they generally serve different purposes. Ponchos are uniquely designed and offer functionality, while the serapes are vibrant and are often used as blankets or home décor.
Also Read: Mexican vs Puerto Rican: Difference and Comparison
Sarape vs Poncho: What Is Comparable to a Poncho?
Serape is the term for the rectangular woven blanket with no openings. However, serape in the last few years has been used to refer to a very soft rectangular blanket with an opening in the middle.
A poncho is a simple garment made from a rectangle of cloth, with a slit in the middle, designed for the one’s head. It’s a type of plainly formed outer garment that originated in the Americas.
Sarape vs Poncho: What is the Composition of Serape?
It’s believed that the most classic serapes and ponchos dates to the 1840s to 1860s. Classic sarapes and ponchos were known to have a simple colour palette of white, red, and blue, with a mix of yellow and green.
From the early 19th century until the early 20th century, the most popular sarapes was the hand-woven wool serape. By the 1930s, machine-woven serape became more popular and was more widely used than hand-woven serapes.
The modern serapes made these days are designed from synthetic acrylic and cotton fibres.
Also Read: Scots vs Irish: Difference and Comparison
Conclusion
Serape is the term for the rectangular woven blanket with no openings. However, serape in the last few years has been used to refer to a very soft rectangular blanket with an opening in the middle.
In the Americas, the serapes are adorned with patterns and to the Native American people, it’s more than just a functional item. They are traditional garments that show the rich cultural heritage of the Native American people.
Recommendations
- “Está” vs “Esta” or “Esté” vs “Este”: Difference and Comparison
- India vs Pakistan: Difference and Comparison
- Ginger vs Redhead: Difference and Comparison
- Postal Code vs Zip Code: Difference and Comparison
- Catholic vs Episcopal: Difference and Comparison
References
- Wikipedia: Serape
- Wikipedia: Poncho
- ArizonaStateMusuem: Sarapes