juurihattu

Juurihattu is a Finnish term that refers to traditional headwear made from plant materials, notably roots or root-derived fibers. The name combines juuri 'root' and hattu 'hat', and it is primarily attested in Finnish ethnographic and folkloric contexts. Historically, such hats were part of rural or forest communities’ clothing, valued for their practicality when working outdoors.

Construction varies; makers used flexible roots, strips of bark, grasses, or other fibrous plant material, braided or woven to form a cap or brimmed hat. Some examples were reinforced with leather thongs or cloth linings to improve fit and durability. The natural color and texture of root fibers created a distinctive, rustic appearance.

In cultural contexts, juurihattu is associated with folk costume and forest life. It appears in traditional crafts, regional costume collections, and occasionally in folklore as protective or symbolic garb. It is not widely used in daily wear today, but it may be reproduced for cultural events, museums, or theatre productions.

Modern references to juurihattu are mainly as artifacts of ethnographic study and craft heritage. Similar headwear exists in other Nordic and Baltic folk costumes, reflecting shared materials-based approaches to outdoor attire in pre-industrial societies.