Mesa Band

Mesa band (Watana) from Q'ero

This hand-woven Mesa ribbon , also called Watana , is made by Q'ero artisans in the Peruvian Andes – a community where traditional weaving techniques and textile expressions have been preserved through generations.

A wide Watana is traditionally used to wrap and tie a Mestana together when not in use. After a ceremony or practice, the mestana fabric is gently folded and held together by the ribbon, helping to gather and protect the contents until it is time to open the mestana again.

Like Q'ero's handwoven textiles, each Watana is handwoven with great care. The colorful patterns emerge thread by thread through a craft that requires both skill and patience. Slight variations in color, pattern and weave are a natural part of the handmade process and make each band unique.

In addition to its traditional use with a mesa, many also choose to use a Watana around drums, herb bundles, or other significant objects. How the band is used varies between different traditions and practitioners.

When you choose a handwoven Watana, you don't just get a practical band – you also carry on a living craft that is still woven by hand in the Andes.

Product information

• Origin: Q'ero, Peru
• Handwoven according to traditional Andean weaving traditions
• Wide model intended for tying together a Mestana (mesa)
• Material: Wool
• Each band is handmade and unique