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 life force of birthing and fertility. They are traditionally used as platforms for ceremonial offerings, altar and divination cloths, and wrappings for prayer bundles.

These particular cloths are woven by the families at the foot of Mount Ausangate at 14,500’ / 4420m in the Peruvian altiplano. The wool is harvested by hand, combed, washed, spun and then woven into geometric forms.

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

Proceeds support the indigenous weavers of Ausangate and the Andean-Inkan Living Wisdom Project.