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Quietly tucked away in the quiet corners past the commercial centers of
Otavalo and Peguchi is the small and unassuming community of San
Roque (located approximately 20 minutes from Otavalo, 10 minutes
from Peguche).
Here I was warmly received by Nelson Cordova, one of two sons that
still continue the art of handmade weaving that was taught by his
father. All the family members participate in the production.
The women tend to dedicate themselves to the preparation of materials
... from spinning and dying the yarn. The dying process if mainly from nogal
(or walnut), including the bark, nut and leaves. The mean, in contrast,
generally dedicate themselves to actual weaving.
While Nelson patiently went to work on various works of art and
patience, of various colours and sizes he would explain the process
from scratch. He also related life in the community and the indigenous
way of life ... adding a more rounded understanding of the whole
process.
As Nelson explained that today there are fewer and fewer indigenous
people that maintain the old customs of manual weaving, opting to work
in surrounding farms and fabrication plants. He explained that mass
volume, machine-produced items are driving this way of life into
extinction. The textile plants easily copy the designs and churn out
apparently similar products at a much lower cost and in great
volume.
Only through direct experience, watching these artisan hard at work
with their hands and imagination, does one gain a deeper appreciation
of the laborious and meticulous art of hand-weaving, knowledge and
skills that have been handed down generation after generation.
In our continuing and dedicate efforts to protect
Ecuador's natural and cultural history, we (Robin Slater and
Sangay Touring) are in the process of planning and arranging
private educational tours for individuals, groups and institutions that
wish to, not only experience and witness first-hand manual weaving, but
contribute directly to continued survival of the local indigenous
community of San Roque, Imbabura and the local weavers.
Other sample images
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Luis Cordero E4-358 y Amazonas
Quito, Ecuador - South
America.
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design: Robin Slater
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