A weaver in Quito

A man sits in front of a treadle loom in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. He appears to be weaving a wool blanket or shawl. (Learn more)

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By the fall of Spanish colonialism in Ecuador, weaving had been established as a crucial part of the Ecuadorian economy — and it remains so today. Because weaving can be done more quickly on a treadle loom, most weavers in Ecuador work exclusively on the treadle. A core of craftspeople — primarily Quechua-speaking peoples in the highlands of Ecuador — carry on the indigenous tradition of weaving on the backstrap loom.

Learn more about Ecuador, Quito, South America, crafts, craftsmanship, looms, weaving, and world cultures.

Definitions

treadle loom n.
A weaving loom operated by using the foot to manipulate a pedal on the floor.
Quechua n.
A native American language spoken by natives of the Central Andes in South America.
backstrap loom n.
A type of weaving loom consisting of sticks, rope, and a strap that is worn around the waist.

Links

  • Lesson plan: Threads through South America: Weaving in Ecuador This lesson for grade six takes a look at the weaving and textiles created in the Andes of Ecuador in and near the town of Otavalo. In addition to learning about Ecuadorian weaving, students may also create their own woven artifact.

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