Flamenco mantons are associated with the Port of Manila
(Philippines), where there was an important Spanish colony of
merchants who brought goods from the Far East during the
sixteenth century. Actually the origin of this piece is in
China. The first mantons were made of silk and generally had
beautiful hand embroidered flowers or birds. At first were
decorated with dragons, pagodas and bamboo designs (typical
Chinese decorations). They were really big pieces in the
beginning. They were supposed to cover both arms, going around
them, and covered the whole torso. The light fabric made them
more comfortable to wear, in spite of their big dimensions. They
would not disturb dancers and performers when performing
movements or figures, and advantage which became noteworthy for
Flamenco dancers in the centuries to come. The Manila shawl is
strongly associated with Flamenco and Andalusian folklore, but
complements the dress worn by the singers also and also at
certain times, has been used as an everyday garment. As a