Name/Title
Woman's Shawl (Macana, or Paños de Gualaceo)Entry/Object ID
2024.4.61Description
The Macana, or Paños de Gualaceo is a traditional shawl worn by women in Ecuador's Azuay province. This fine cotton shawl features a white background adorned with blue flower motifs created using the ikat dyeing technique with indigo. Its warp fringes (el fleco) are knotted in macramé and enhanced with needlework that displays the Spanish coat of arms (Sello de España), the date 1942, and the message "Un Recuerdo a Mi Querida Amiga" — a memory/ memento for my dear friend (female). In the past, threads made of black sisal (agave americano latino) were used to tie the ikat design on the cotton warp. The tying and dyeing of the ikat warp were done by women while the warping and weaving were done by men. Originally, the weaving was done on a backstrap loom with a circular warp. See additional information in “Paños de Gualaceo” by Dennis Penley (1988).Acquisition
Accession
2024.4Source or Donor
Teresa Lemon SheproAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Teresa Lemon SheproMade/Created
Time Period
1st half of 20th CenturyEthnography
Cultural Region
Country
EcuadorProvince
AzuayNotes
Gualaceo County