The Quechuan people are descendants of the Inca, an indigenous civilization whose empire spanned the 13-15C.  The Incas worshipped the sun god, Inti and one theory suggests that the design of this hat symbolizes their god (a disk with emanating rays) and was intended to help preserve their traditions after being conquered by the Spanish. Worn today by women throughout the Andes region, the style of Montera can identify the village or region the wearer comes from and in some villages may identify a woman’s marital status.