Mama Rosa, Saraguro, Ecuador

Saraguro, is a town located in southern Ecuador and is home to the fascinating indigenous Saraguro people and their culture. Originally from near Lake Titicaca in Peru the Sarguro people moved here in the 1470s as a result of the Inca Empire’s system of resettlement. The indigenous Saraguro people wear distinctive clothing, both dressing predominantly in black, the women in home-woven pleated skirts, and the men in knee-length trousers. Both wear woollen ponchos, often with shawls and white felt hats decorated with black spots. Both men and women keep their hair in a long, single braid.

Mama Rosa explained the whole process of macana handicrafts. This artisanal technique for making the macana, was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ecuador in 2015. She started with preparing the wool, which is from sheep. Once the wool is prepared it is dyed in a large pot of boiling liquid. After the wool has dried, Mama Rosa demonstrated the weaving on the traditional Ikat. Mama Rosa was a wonderful host and delighted us with many interesting stories, particularly her involvement in the battle against GM in Ecuador in relation to corn. A formidable, wonderful woman.

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