The treadle loom

A large foot-powered loom, called a treadle loom, is laden with several skeins of wool. (Learn more)

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For centuries before the Spanish conquest of South America, families in the Ecuadorian highlands used the backstrap loom to do their weaving, but the advent of Spanish colonialism brought many changes to the traditional culture of the Andes. In the sixteenth century, the Spanish brought the upright treadle loom to Ecuador, setting up weaving factories called obrajes. The indigenous people, already recognized for their fine weaving skills, were forced to work in the obrajes, producing woven goods for Spanish profit. Before long, hand-woven items became central to the Ecuadorian colonial economy.

Learn more about Ecuador, South America, Spain, colonialism, crafts, weaving, wool, world cultures, and world history.