The textile crafts of San Antonio de Lípez were created by skilled hands capable of capturing in the textiles the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
From llama and alpaca breeding to the production of clothing, women are the true protagonists of the entire textile creation process.
Every household in San Antonio de Lipez owns llamas or alpacas, and the need to distinguish their animals from those of others has given rise to a curious custom. Each household, in fact, hangs brightly coloured ribbons from their ears, using a different colour for each household. When grazing in the nearby hills or around the community, you can easily meet the herds sporting these peculiar and vibrant marks of recognition.
If you want to discover San Antonio and learn more about its cultural practices, it is fascinating to hear the story of the production of textiles from the voice of the local craftswomen. The women, who are the absolute protagonists of the production process, explain that the animals can only be sheared for the first time after they have reached three years of age; traditionally this activity takes place in October to November.
The next step is the manual spinning of the wool, thanks to the famous spinning wheels. Once the yarn has been spun from the wool, the women use it to weave the garments according to the local culture. The textiles are decorated with unique and colourful figures and patterns, with strong symbolic meanings, which have their roots in the traditional Andean imagery.
In this part of the country, the garments almost always reflect the natural colour of the wool; to dye the wool natural pigments extracted from plants are used. The garments, which are sold within the community or at fairs throughout the region, are all essential items to combat the cold in the area: sweaters, ponchos, hats and gloves.
In San Antonio de Lípez you can discover the secrets of the art of weaving thanks to the local artisans who are happy to share their ancestral knowledge and practices with you and, if you wish, you can take home a beautiful souvenir of these lands. Contact us to live this experience with us!
Services
- Local guides available in Spanish
Additional Info
We recommend warm and windproof clothing, comfortable hiking shoes, a sleeping bag, gloves, a scarf, cap, a jacket, sunglasses and a camera.
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Weekend
Where
Community of San Antonio de Lipez, Municipality of San Pablo de Lípez, department of Potosí.
Transportation
By private transport
From Uyuni or from Tupiza it is necessary to reach the communities of San Cristobal by road; the duration of the trip is 2 hours. From there a road starts to San Antonio de Lipez; from this point the duration of the trip is 2 more hours.
By public transport
There is no public transportation available.
Visiting Rules
For your own health and that of the local population, remember to respect all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: bring a mask and hand sanitizer, as well as a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medication for altitude sickness.
During your visit, remember to protect the region's cultural and natural heritage.