I couldn’t have planned a more perfect way to spend the day.
For a year now, I have been wanting to go to the La Casa de la Makana to see the ikat weaving and makana or shawls in Gualaceo Ecuador.
We headed to Gualaceo, which is about a 40 minute drive from where we live.We finally got to go with some other gringos and homeschoolers we have become friends with while we have lived here in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Ikat – Tying and Dying – Natural and Ancient Arts
What is so amazing about this cultural experience is that the ikat pattern is not only an ancient pattern and art passed down from previous generations, but this family is one of only about a handful of families that practice this ancient hand work.
The word ikat actually means “to tie”.
The shawls, which normally have a fringed edge has been the typical dress along with the Panama hat for the people in this region for probably close to a hundred years, but it is a dying art because a lot of the locals are getting “modernized”.
This family though is preserving the tradition.
Too, this family, like a lot of families in this area who have their own businesses, both live and work in the same dwelling.
(You can see the tyed yarn in this picture before it’s dyed naturally and weaved.)
Like most homes here, this home has an outside space for working and normally an inside space or separate space for cooking and for sleeping.
We loved the decorations and old exterior and charm this place had.
But first, I have to tell you about this very unique craft.
Like I mentioned, this family has been making shawls and using the ikat pattern for about 5 generations.
It has been a skilled passed down to each generation.
Do you know the beautiful and ancient pattern of ikat?
Look at these patterns to give you an idea of why I was so stoked to learn about this beautiful craftsmanship up close and personal. (Can I have one of each please?)
Here the mother is using a warping machine to wrap the yarn. This determines the size of the shawl.
But what is really AWESOME, is the natural method of making dye, which is still practiced today.
Each barrel makes color and from that color they make several more colors.
You can see the color that is being made inside by the barrel by the color scarf on the outside.
Orange, light walnut (guess what nut that is in that barrel soaking with water) and indigo are some of the colors being made here.
To make these natural dyes they used walnuts, worms, rocks, plants and cochineal.
Some of the natural dyes take days to make and still others months.
Cochineal is a bug that lives in the cactus here in South America and from that bug it makes the color carmine (reddish).
But look at this video as our guide adds lime to make one color (like an brown-ish orange-ish) and then baking soda for yet another color (purple).
Also, in this video you can see at the end of the video when she grabs the long ropes of thread that actually comes before the dying process.
So after warping and dying, next comes the weaving.
The focus here is to be sure the pattern stays the same and stays in sequence.
Can you see why this ancient art is being lost? It takes time and skill to make just one well-made shawl.
The family also had a showroom upstairs. Of course I can’t wait to go upstairs to drool over all their handicrafts.
They provide the patterned material to make shoes to the local shoe maker. So you can have this beautiful pattern on a great looking set of high heels.
Look at some of their finished products.
Of course the price here is HALF of what it is in Cuenca or other stores.
The shawls, purses, and shoes are about $25.00 to $30.00. Of course they first said $35.00, but I always ask for a “descuenta” (discount) but that is the norm here.
People expect you to negotiate.
But one thing that hangs in their showroom that they are EXTREMELY proud of and that is not for sell is the 150 year old hand embroidered piece made the family great grandmother.
Ikat Master Weavers
They have it hanging up in their showroom to show off not only their proud heritage but the intricate quality.
It has humming birds on it and the seal of the Republic of Ecuador.
Too, I had to show you a close up of this one loom that is 150 years (on the left) and that is still used by this family.
Of course, I couldn’t leave without buying an item or two.
I just drooled when I saw this wool and ikat blue bag and had to have it.
I think I will go back and grab a few more shawls and maybe even a pair of heels.
Then, of course the day is not complete with a great fabulous meals at one of the local and CLEAN restaurants.
I went upstairs to snatch a picture real quick before we devoured our delicious meal.
Hope you learned something about the cultural of Ecuador that we are just soaking up while we are here!
I think I could decorate my whole house in the ikat pattern because I have fallen madly in love with it.
Hugs and love ya,
Gretchen Vos says
I would like to visit La Casa de la Mahana; I’ll be in Guanaco on 30-31 December, 2018? Do you know if they will be open then?
Muchas gracias?
Gretchen Vos
Tina Robertson says
Hi Gretchen,
I don’t know for sure. We moved back to the states.♥ Hope you have a good time there.