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Size 76x78cm
These mestanas, or mesa cloths, are not just textiles – they are living works of art created by the Indigenous people of Chinchero, a village nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Here, where the rainbow often graces the sky as a blessing, these cloths carry the energy and beauty of the rainbow.
Each cloth is the result of sacred craftsmanship, where the soft wool of alpacas and colors from nature’s palette come together in a dance of creativity and spirituality. With gentle hands and hearts filled with prayers and intentions, every thread is woven into more than just fabric – it becomes a living embodiment of the soul of the Sacred Valley. The radiant colors reflect the light of the rainbow, each hue carrying its own symbolic meaning.
Every mestana is unique, vibrating with the energy that the rainbow imparts – an energy of balance, renewal, and universal love. These cloths are used by shamans and healers as altars, holding sacred objects and serving as portals to the healing powers of the universe.
To hold a cloth from Chinchero is to feel the presence of the Sacred Valley and hear the whispers of the rainbow, speaking of unity and hope. It is to carry a piece of the Andes’ magic, a promise of light, beauty, and harmony that touches both body and soul.
Area of origin – Chinchero
Chinchero is located in the Sacred Valley near Cusco and is known for its strong weaving traditions. The area has long been a center for textile crafts where knowledge of weaving, dyeing and patterns is passed down between generations.
Many Chinchero textiles are characterized by their bright colors, rainbow-like color combinations, and the detailed patterns woven into the fabric. Another characteristic is the decorative edging, often called nawi awapa or "eyelet", that runs along the outer edge of the fabric.
In Andean tradition, the eye is associated with attention, vitality and creativity. The motif appears in various forms in traditional textile art and is one of the patterns that many associate with Chinchero weavers.
Each fabric is unique, but the richness of color, the woven motifs and the characteristic border are details that often recur in textiles from the area.
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.
