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Mestana cloths are wonderful woven expressions of the Peruvian Andean weavers' worldview. Because many traditional weavers believe that all of creation is imbued with spirit, the patterns they weave into their textile goods also express this natural energy and spirit. A mestana cloth, (also sometimes mastana) is a hand woven cloth which has both practical and esoteric purposes. These cloths are typically used to carry belongings, infants, and food. Because of recent publications about the weaving methods of native Peruvians and Bolivians, we now know more about how the textiles are made, usually from native fibers such as alpaca, sheep and llama wool; how the wool is spun into thread and yarn; how the yarn is wound, skeined, plied and dyed, some with natural colors, or synthetic colors or both. The various types of weaving looms used in making textile articles is another whole topic of study in and of itself, as are the weaving techniques, such as the complementary warp technique which produces a piece which is identical on its front and back sides, except for the delightful color reversal of the pattern.  There is also a body of knowledge being developed as to how the skill of weaving and knowledge of patterns is passed on from generation to generation. More here on our blog: Mestana Weavings of Peru.

Product Origin

Q'ero

Q'ero

Q'ero Nation of Peru 

The Q'ero Nation is located a one day ride on horseback from the road to Paucartambo in Cusco and is the oldest in the Inca Tradition. They live 4,300 meters high in the Peruvian Andes. They grow and eat potatoes, such as olluco and oca. Children between the ages of 7-14 attend school. Medical assistance is scarce. They work and live as a community of 800 or so people. They marry among themselves and have kept their customs alive since Incan times.

The main activity of the Q'ero, besides agriculture, is weaving. They use natural dyes for their wool. Their techniques and designs are considered to be the closest to those of their ancestors. Their weavings have been displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.
The Q'ero believe they are the last descendants of the Inca. According to tradition, their ancestors defended themselves from invading Spanish conquistadores with the aid of the local mountain deities (los Apus) which devastated the Spanish Army near Wiraquchapampa.

The religion of the Q'ero is syncretic, consisting of a mixture of European Christianity with elements of the traditional religion of the Andes. Shamans of different levels (e.g., Altumisayuq, Pampamisayuq) still have a high reputation. They worship Mother Nature (Pachamama) as well as other mountain spirits like Apu Ausangate and other regional deities.

Dimensions

Size26" L x 26" W

Q'ero Andean Lliklla Mestana Cloth - Inti

Fair TradeFair Trade
Hand MadeHand Made
Supports Indigenous CulturesSupports Indigenous Cultures
Prix habituel $220.00

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Q'ero Andean Lliklla Mestana Cloth - Inti 1 | txm0049
Q'ero Andean Lliklla Mestana Cloth - ... $220.00
Watana Ties Narrow
Watana Ties Narrow$15.00
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Imbue your mesa or sacred altar cloth with the duality of spirit. Our colorful hand-woven mestana cloth features both the Inkarri and Inti motifs: Inkarri, cultural hero and founder of the Inkas, and Inti, the Sun depicted as a rayed diamond. Touches of red and yellow bordering the central pattern, call to the mountain spirits or Apus. Finished with the traditional "eye-stitch", which is said to have protective qualities. 


Woven by Q'ero women in the high Andes, this weaving makes a perfect ground cloth for your sacred altar or mesa bundle. 

SKU : txm0049

More Information

Mestana cloths are wonderful woven expressions of the Peruvian Andean weavers' worldview. Because many traditional weavers believe that all of creation is imbued with spirit, the patterns they weave into their textile goods also express this natural energy and spirit. A mestana cloth, (also sometimes mastana) is a hand woven cloth which has both practical and esoteric purposes. These cloths are typically used to carry belongings, infants, and food. Because of recent publications about the weaving methods of native Peruvians and Bolivians, we now know more about how the textiles are made, usually from native fibers such as alpaca, sheep and llama wool; how the wool is spun into thread and yarn; how the yarn is wound, skeined, plied and dyed, some with natural colors, or synthetic colors or both. The various types of weaving looms used in making textile articles is another whole topic of study in and of itself, as are the weaving techniques, such as the complementary warp technique which produces a piece which is identical on its front and back sides, except for the delightful color reversal of the pattern.  There is also a body of knowledge being developed as to how the skill of weaving and knowledge of patterns is passed on from generation to generation. More here on our blog: Mestana Weavings of Peru.

Product Origin

Q'ero

Q'ero

Q'ero Nation of Peru 

The Q'ero Nation is located a one day ride on horseback from the road to Paucartambo in Cusco and is the oldest in the Inca Tradition. They live 4,300 meters high in the Peruvian Andes. They grow and eat potatoes, such as olluco and oca. Children between the ages of 7-14 attend school. Medical assistance is scarce. They work and live as a community of 800 or so people. They marry among themselves and have kept their customs alive since Incan times.

The main activity of the Q'ero, besides agriculture, is weaving. They use natural dyes for their wool. Their techniques and designs are considered to be the closest to those of their ancestors. Their weavings have been displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.
The Q'ero believe they are the last descendants of the Inca. According to tradition, their ancestors defended themselves from invading Spanish conquistadores with the aid of the local mountain deities (los Apus) which devastated the Spanish Army near Wiraquchapampa.

The religion of the Q'ero is syncretic, consisting of a mixture of European Christianity with elements of the traditional religion of the Andes. Shamans of different levels (e.g., Altumisayuq, Pampamisayuq) still have a high reputation. They worship Mother Nature (Pachamama) as well as other mountain spirits like Apu Ausangate and other regional deities.

Dimensions

Size26" L x 26" W
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