This poncho is handwoven by Mamita Hilaria, a woman from the Andes who carries the ancestral knowledge of her people. She learned to spin and weave from her mother and grandmother, as their mothers did before them.

Mamita raises her own alpacas in the highlands. She gathers the wool with care, spins it by hand, and dyes it using plants from the surrounding mountains following traditional methods passed down through generations.

Each weaving is a prayer, inspired by Pachamama. The symbols tell stories of the land, the plants, and the waters woven for protection, harmony, and the deep connection between people and nature. This is not just clothing; it is a piece of living tradition.

Every Andean textiles is crafted with alpaca and sheep wool using ancient techniques passed down through generations, are predominantly practiced by women in the Andean tradition.
The process begins by gathering wool from sheep or alpacas during the rainy season to ensure its cleanliness. Fibers are then cleaned with a natural detergent made from a root called Saqta and left to dry completely. Next, the wool is prepared using an Inca instrument called Pushka to spin it into thread, a technique that can take around 3 to 4 weeks.
Afterward, the wool is dyed using natural pigments as

• Red, obtained from cochineal insects, symbolizes fertility.
• Yellow, from Qolli Quiswar, represents the Sun, Tayta Inti.
• Greens come from Chillca and Tayanka, representing nature.
• Purple, from Awaypilli, symbolizes union.
• Blue, from Indigo, represents the sky, the infinite.

The dyed wool is boiled with plants, then combined with a finisher comprising alum stone, natural salts, and lemon. Once dried, the different colored wools are woven into various textiles, each containing sacred symbolism based on Andean cosmology. Andean people draw represent their designs and symbols from their landscapes and native plants, including mountains, lakes, the sun, the moon, eyes, coca leaves, animals and more.Every piece is unique, crafted with dedication and love.
By purchasing these products, you support native communities in the Andes, helping to preserve their traditions and maintain their ancestral connection with Pachamama (Mother Nature).