The Municipality of La Pintada expressed its concern about the use of the pinta’o hat as a woman's handbag, highlighting that it is a handcrafted piece representing the identity, history, and work of generations of artisans from La Pintada. "Anyone can wear the pinta’o hat. But we cannot allow it to become an accessory, because it is a symbol of our identity," the statement adds. These types of actions can be considered cultural appropriation or misuse of heritage, directly affecting our artisans and a tradition passed down for generations. From La Pintada, the birthplace of the pinta’o hat, we will continue to firmly defend respect for our culture, our traditions, and the dignified work of our artisans. The pinta’o hat is part of the typical attire of Panama for men, women, and children. Artisans from La Pintada have called for respect for this element of cultural heritage and urged against using it as a mere fashion accessory to preserve its true meaning and prevent the tradition from disappearing.
