Andean-Inkan Alpaca Mestana Cloth Light Brown : 6465 (12x19"/30x48cm)

Mestana cloths are an ancient 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 wool fibers maintain the energetic life force of birthing and fertility. They are kept and used as special altar cloths in the home, and also used by Andean-Inkan Paqos for ceremony, divination, offerings and wrapping their sacred prayer bundles.

These cloths are woven by the women of our extended family at 15,000’/5000m, at the foot of Mount Ausangate in the Peruvian altiplano. The wool is harvested, combed, washed, spun into thread and woven by hand. Each piece takes over a week to complete.

In addition to their traditional uses, these Mestanas can be crafted into pillow covers, used as wall hangings, side table coverings, etc.

Proceeds support the indigenous weavers of Ausangate and their families.