HANDWOVEN ANDEAN MESTANA CLOTHS FROM AUSANGATE
Alpaca Mestana cloths are an age-old Andean tradition. They are woven from alpaca or llama wool by soon-to-be mothers or family members as a special cloth to receive and wrap a newborn child. After birth, the natural mestana fibers maintain the energetic life force of birthing and fertility. They are used as altar cloths and offerings at home. Andean-Inkan Paqos use mestanas as a base for their ceremonial despachos, platform for divination and as a wrapping for their prayer bundles.
These cloths are woven by the women of our extended family at the foot of Mount Ausangate at 14,500’ / 4420m in the Peruvian altiplano. The wool is harvested, combed, washed, spun and then woven by hand. Each piece takes over a week to complete.
In addition to traditional uses, Mestanas can be used as pillow covers, wall hangings, side table coverings, etc.
Proceeds support the indigenous weavers of Ausangate and their families.
