Ponchos

Description

The poncho is part of the typical clothing of several indigenous peoples of South America and is thought to have origins in the pre-Hispanic cushma. However, its use with its current characteristics spread during the colonial era among indigenous people and Creoles, with a boom during the independence struggles. Learning this trade occurs in the center of the indigenous family of the inter-Andean region, where tradition has assigned specific tasks. Weaving and wearing are typical of men, while spinning is done by women.

This garment can be made on waist, vertical or pedal looms and the predominant materials are sheep or alpaca wool, silk, cotton, orlon or acrylic threads. The weaving is complemented by other techniques such as macramé, ikat, dyeing, knotting, embroidery, plain weaving or fraying.

The poncho shows characteristic elements of the cultural identity of each community, which are expressed in the use of symbolic colors or representative designs.

The white-mestizo population of the province of Carchi uses red and blue ponchos; Red is present in nationalities of the mountains such as the Karanki and Natabuela (Imbabura), Kayambi (Imbabura and Pichincha), Kitukara (Pichincha), Panzaleo (Cotopaxi), Chibuleo and Kisapincha (Tungurahua), Waranca (Bolívar), Puruhá (Chimborazo) and Cañari (Cañar and Azuay) cultures. The Otavalo wear a dark blue poncho (Imbabura), the Salasaka white and black (Tungurahua) and the Saraguros black (Loja).

Ponchos of multiple colors (pink, blue background, among others) appear in different communities in the Sierra for ceremonial and festive use. In many cases it denotes a social position and the designs and color combinations vary from one place to another.

The pieces are made for communities and the growing global market, innovating traditional design with the use of new elements and patterns that respond to consumer demands.

EnglishPonchos

The poncho is part of the typical dress of several indigenous peoples of South America and is thought to have originated in the pre-Hispanic "cushma". However, its use with its current characteristics spread during colonial times among Indigenous people and Creoles, with a boom during the independence struggles. The apprenticeship of this craft takes place in the center of the indigenous family of the inter-Andean region, where tradition has assigned specific tasks. The weaving and the wearing are the responsibility of the men, while the spinning is carried out by the women.

This garment can be made on the backstrap, vertical or pedal looms and the predominant materials used are sheep's or alpaca wool, silk, cotton, orlon or acrylic yarns. The weaving is complemented by other techniques such as macramé, ikat, dyeing, knotting, embroidery, plain weaving or unraveling. In the poncho, characteristic elements of the cultural identity of each community are evident, which are expressed in the use of symbolic colors or representative designs.

The white-mestizo population of the province of Carchi wears red and blue ponchos; red is present in highland nationalities such as the Karanki and Natabuela (Imbabura), Kayambi (Imbabura and Pichincha), Kitukara (Pichincha), Panzaleo (Cotopaxi), Chibuleo and Kisapincha (Tungurahua), Waranca (Bolívar), Puruhá (Chimborazo) and Cañari (Cañar and Azuay) cultures. The Otavalo wear dark blue ponchos (Imbabura), the Salasaka black and white (Tungurahua) and the Saraguros black (Loja).

Ponchos of multiple colors (pink and blue backgrounds, among others) appear in different communities of the Sierra for ceremonial and festive use. In many cases, they denote social status, and the designs and color combinations vary from one place to another. The pieces are made for the communities and the growing global market, innovating the traditional design with the use of new elements and colors that respond to the demands of consumers.