Traditional weaving in Ecuador
In Ecuador, weaving by hand remains a living art, providing an economic livelihood for those who weave and sustaining the Ecuadorian national identity. Traditional Ecuadorian weavers begin with raw wool, which they clean and card — a process that lines up the wool fibers and prepares them to be spun into yarn. After spinning and dyeing the yarn, the weavers work on a loom to create sweaters, bags, blankets, and numerous other items. The beauty and high quality of these woven goods draws people from far and wide, particularly to the town of Otavalo, in the highlands of Ecuador. Otavalo is famous around the world for its open-air markets, where local Ecuadorian weavers sell their colorful hand-made items.
Photographs by Margery Freeman · Text by Emily Jack and William M. Wisser
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