Nanduti

Ñandutí lace

Origin.The ñandutí is a needle lace originating from Tenerife, Spain. It was introduced during the conquest and spread throughout America. It is also known as Soles de Maracaibo. The same lace is recorded in Puebla, Mexico and is known as ñandutí.The name in Paraguay. Guarani word: rhea-spider; ti-white, similar to spider weave.raw material: spider threads of a species that weaves gigantic nests in the treetops, rather woolly in texture and ocher in colour. This rhea was produced until about the 1960s. In Madagascar, spider thread is also produced and is called Madagascar lace. In Carapeguá, it was produced with cotton, with fiber from the coconut bunch (mbokaja) and from karaguata.Technique. The samplers are prepared on cloth and the warp is made radially in most cases. In Carapeguá, the warp is made freely without cloth, the threads are held by the frame, and real Spanish soles were also made.Naming of the designs. The craftswomen give names to the designs related to their environment such as: ‘brick’; ‘aguape’, ‘camalote’; ‘aguara rugúai’, ‘fox tail’; ‘scorpion’, altars and lanterns; ‘amambai’, ferns; ‘aña juru’, devil’s mouth; ‘arai’, clouds; ‘arapaho’ (starch biscuit); ‘arasa poty, guava flower; avati poty, corn flower; jasmine poty, jasmine flower; bottle; mburukuja poty, passion flower; pira costilla, fish rib; “karape star”, small star.Production. It is currently made in Itaugua and Pirayu. In the past, the fine white thread was used to make blankets, shawls, ornaments for altars, appliqués for dresses, blouses or skirts. Nowadays the ñandutí with fine thread is very scarce. There is white with thick thread, There is a variety and quantity of ñandutíes with different colors for domestic ornaments, ‘appliques’, but the greatest demand is for the making of skirts and gowns or typói especially for popular dances.