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Storlek 65cm x 73cm
These mestanas, or mesa cloths, are more than just textiles – they are living expressions of the ancient wisdom and soul of the Q’ero people, who reside high in the majestic Andes at 5,000 meters above sea level. Each thread is woven with love and reverence, embodying the spiritual heritage of countless generations.
Created by shamans for ceremonial use, these cloths carry profound symbolism. From the soft wool of alpacas to the vibrant colors extracted from nature's treasures, every step in the process is a sacred act. Over months of meticulous work, not only are the threads interwoven, but also prayers, intentions, and energy, which are linked to the person who will carry the cloth.
Each mestana is unique, reflecting the cosmology of the Andes – a universe where everything is interconnected. These cloths serve as the Q’ero shaman's altar, a home for their sacred medicine tools, and a portal to the healing power of the universe. They hold the shaman's unique energy medicine and act as a bridge between humanity and the cosmos, between earth and sky.
To hold a mestana is to feel the breath of history, to be touched by an energy that transcends time and space. It is to carry a piece of the Andes’ soul, a promise of balance, love, and healing.
Area of origin – Q'ero
The Q'ero communities live high in the Andes east of Cusco and are known for having preserved many traditions, ceremonies and knowledge that have been passed down between generations.
Textiles have long played an important role in everyday life, used both as utilitarian objects and as part of ceremonial contexts. Weaving is still a living craft where colors, patterns and techniques bear traces of the local culture and the Andean environment in which the fabrics are created.
Each mesa fabric is unique and reflects the craftsmanship and tradition that still lives on in Q'ero communities.
These mesa fabrics are hand-woven in the Andes using techniques passed down through generations. Many of the fabrics are made from alpaca wool and dyed with natural dyes from plants, minerals and other local raw materials.
Weaving is an important part of life in many Andean communities and is often carried out by women who carry on knowledge, patterns and craft traditions within the family and local community.
Because each fabric is made by hand, no two pieces are exactly alike. Variations in color, pattern, and detail are a natural part of the craft and make each mesa fabric unique.
When you buy a mesa fabric, you help support traditional craftsmanship and the communities where it still lives on. In line with the principle of Ayni – reciprocity – we strive for trade to create value both for the user of the product and for the people and places behind it. We work for long-term relationships and to give back to the contexts that make this craftsmanship possible.
