Textile creation in Ecuador

Our Ecuadorian textile handicrafts are not only beautiful and unusual, but they also tell a story of success for the people of Otavalo. (Debbie cannot resist explaining this because, after all, she has a degree in Latin American History. 🙂 )

The Spaniards forced many native Ecuadorians to work in “obrajes”, a colonial version of a textiles sweatshop. According to historians,  they were paid the equivalent of $5 per month, were whipped frequently and suffered other inhumane treatment. The wool and cotton fabric they produced was used by Spaniards all over their empire for hundreds of years.

After Independence from Spain, the Ecuadorian people were able to use the skills they had acquired in this industry for their own benefit. They now own all the means of production.  Some continue to carry on traditional methods, such as “backstrap weaving.”  In backstrap weaving, the loom is actually strapped around the body, and the weaver must use their own body weight as part of the crafting process.

Others have modernized and use computerized looms.

When you purchase an item from Los Andes Shop, you are supporting the small business textile artisans of Otavalo – we buy from them directly, and have been working with several for over 15 years.  Ecuadorian textiles, made high in Los Andes, proudly imported to Oregon by Los Andes Shop.

Categorized in: Berho Bros, LLC, dba Los Andes Shop, Blog, Information Section, Our products