Summary Before the arrival of the Incas and later the Spanish, the indigenous people of Ecuador were making beautiful textile crafts. Every day, in the city of Otavalo's Ponchos Square, 1500 merchants set up their temporary stands, adorning them with garments, hats, hammocks, blankets, slippers and silk dolls, to the delight of the market's 500,000 annual visitors. Once a traditional garment allowing indigenous people to endure the mountain weather, the poncho - now worn only for wedding ceremonies - is popular with tourists and several export markets. Andean artisan weavers still have the ancient skills to make them, and control their production. While some have traded their traditional looms for modern machines, others proudly carry on the tradition of spinning, threading and weaving by hand. Using cotton, straw or wool they craft heavy fabrics, decorating them with traditional patterns and images such as eagles. Far from fading away, the Ecuadorian textile trade is an integral part of the social fabric for the region's aboriginal people and helps them improve their economic status. On Saturdays, the entire town of Otavalo comes alive. The streets fill with jewellers and pan-flute makers who line the outskirts of the main square. At the foot of the Andes mountain range, merchants, weavers and hatters are the symbol of a living, still relevant tradition. Wander among the lines weighted with wares and gently swaying dream-catchers, and discover the warm, colourful crafts of Ponchos Square.
Directed : Unknown
Written : Unknown
Stars : Julie Laferrière
Genres : Documentary
Release date : Feb 8, 2017
Countries of origin : Canada
Official sites : The best markets on earth- list of our productions
Language : French
Production companies : Eurêka! Productions
Summary Before the arrival of the Incas and later the Spanish, the indigenous people of Ecuador were making beautiful textile crafts. Every day, in the city of Otavalo's Ponchos Square, 1500 merchants set up their temporary stands, adorning them with garments, hats, hammocks, blankets, slippers and silk dolls, to the delight of the market's 500,000 annual visitors. Once a traditional garment allowing indigenous people to endure the mountain weather, the poncho - now worn only for wedding ceremonies - is popular with tourists and several export markets. Andean artisan weavers still have the ancient skills to make them, and control their production. While some have traded their traditional looms for modern machines, others proudly carry on the tradition of spinning, threading and weaving by hand. Using cotton, straw or wool they craft heavy fabrics, decorating them with traditional patterns and images such as eagles. Far from fading away, the Ecuadorian textile trade is an integral part of the social fabric for the region's aboriginal people and helps them improve their economic status. On Saturdays, the entire town of Otavalo comes alive. The streets fill with jewellers and pan-flute makers who line the outskirts of the main square. At the foot of the Andes mountain range, merchants, weavers and hatters are the symbol of a living, still relevant tradition. Wander among the lines weighted with wares and gently swaying dream-catchers, and discover the warm, colourful crafts of Ponchos Square.
Genres : Documentary
Release date : Feb 8, 2017
Countries of origin : Canada
Official sites : The best markets on earth- list of our productions
Language : French
Production companies : Eurêka! Productions
