The origin of the Yucatecan Guayabera

The guayabera is a traditional men's garment known for its four pockets and two rows of tucks. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is common to see men wearing this garment. Its widespread use and distinctive design have made it perhaps the most iconic item of clothing associated with the cultural life of Latin America and the Caribbean.[3]

Guayaberas are a development of the one-piece cotton shirts traditionally worn by guajiros (Cuban peasants) and Mayan farmers. Over time, the guayabera became a more elaborate and elegant garment, with tucks, pockets, buttons, and sometimes embroidered Greek motifs.[4]

The true origin of the guayabera remains a mystery. The Yayabo River (located in Cuba) is one of the possible birthplaces of the guayabera. The story (whether true or not) tells of an 18th-century farmer who asked his wife to design a comfortable shirt for working in the fields. She made a white dress with long pockets for storing tobacco, which she called "yayabera" for geographical reasons.[2]

Another area that claims the origin of the guayabera is in Barney, Dominican Republic, due to the deep-rooted guava picking culture in the region. According to folklore, a landowner's wife added extra pockets to her husband's shirt so he could return with more picked guavas without tiring his hands. This theory supports the fact that the guayabera came to Cuba through the Dominican liberator Máximo Gómez, who aided the Cuban people in the Cuban War of Independence in 1868. Time has allowed for variations, not only in its name but also in its style [1].

Since then and up to the present day, the guayabera has been worn by presidents, governors, and other famous figures at important events. Some people wear this dress to add solemnity to social events such as baptisms and weddings, among others. Curiously, it has become in great demand today, not only among distinguished men but also among young people, children, and even women.[5]

References
1. Guayabera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Accessed 2023-02-28

2. The guayabera, the Caribbean tuxedo from Cuba to Yucatán - Different Latitudes. Accessed 2023-02-28

3. The Guayabera: History of a Shirt. Accessed 2023-02-28

4. Mérida. Accessed 2023-02-28

5. The Yucatecan Guayabera, History of the Guayabera. Accessed 2023-02-28