Mercado artesanal de Otavalo

Summary

Otavalo, nestled in the heart of Ecuador, is home to one of Latin America's oldest and the largest artisan market in northern Ecuador. The market, which starts at 6 AM and lasts until 7 PM, showcases local crafts such as hand-carved maracas and drums made from local wood and goat skin. The community is known for its hand-embroidered blouses and traditional attire. Weekends see hundreds of artisans gather, with family groups creating and selling their wares, passing down the tradition through generations. Music, culture, and life are embodied in this vibrant market, where traditional instruments like charangos and Andean flutes are also sold alongside paintings, textiles, and hammocks. Otavalo's location near magical spots like Peguche Waterfall makes it an ideal place to immerse oneself in ancestral culture.

Takeaways

• 🏺 Otavalo is home to one of the oldest craft markets in Latin America and the largest craft fair in northern Ecuador.
• ⏰ The market operates from early morning at 6 AM until 7 PM in the evening.
• 📍 Located in the Plaza de los Ponchos, the market is a hub for artisans like Manuel Duque, a maracas and drum maker.
• 🪵 The materials used for crafting, such as wood and seeds, are sourced from the local region, specifically the Oriente.
• 🥁 Drums are made using animal hides, specifically from goats, which are considered superior for this purpose.
• 👗 Hand-embroidered blouses are a highlight for tourists who admire the traditional attire worn by the community's women.
• 👵 Leona Antonieta, an elderly artisan, continues to create collars and jewelry pieces despite her age.
• 🎶 Bolivia's music and vibrant life emanate from the market, attracting hundreds of local and international artisans every weekend.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The crafting process is a family affair, with traditions passed down from generation to generation.
• 🎓 José Córdoba, a young musician and artisan, has successfully completed university education while also engaging in family crafts.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 The role of women is crucial in this lifestyle, as they are primarily responsible for embroidery, weaving, and the sale and distribution of products.
• 🎵 Traditional musical instruments of the indigenous culture, including various types of flutes and charangos, are also showcased and sold at the market.
• 🎨 Art pieces from renowned painters like Guayasamín, along with original creations, textiles, and hammocks, complete the wide range of crafts available.
• 🌄 Otavalo's location near magical spots such as the Peguche waterfall makes it an ideal place to immerse oneself in ancestral culture.

Q & A

Where is Otavalo located?

Otavalo is located in the heart of Ecuador.

What is special about the Otavalo market?

The Otavalo market is one of the oldest handicraft markets in Latin America and the largest artisanal fair in the northern part of the country.

What is the daily schedule of the Otavalo market?

The market begins at 6 in the morning and continues until 7 in the evening.

Who is Manuel Duque and what does he produce?

Manuel Duque is a manufacturer of maracas and drums, and his family uses wood materials sourced from the east of the country for their production.

What materials are used to make the drums according to the script?

The drums are made using a skin from an animal called 'chivo', and sometimes other skins are used, but they are not as good as the chivo skin.

What are the hand-embroidered blouses known for?

The hand-embroidered blouses are a popular attraction for tourists who admire the typical outfits worn by the women of the community.

Who is La Yeña Antonita and what is her contribution?

La Yeña Antonita is an elderly veteran in the crafting of necklaces and other jewelry pieces, and she continues to persevere in this trade despite her age.

What does the phrase 'Bolivia ayuda' imply in the context of the script?

The phrase 'Bolivia ayuda' is likely a reference to the cultural and musical influence or support that Bolivia contributes to the vibrant life of the Otavalo market.

What is the role of women in the artisanal community according to Luzmila?

According to Luzmila, who has been in the market for over 30 years, the role of women is essential as they are the main producers in tasks such as embroidery, weaving, and also in the sale and distribution of products.

What are the traditional musical instruments featured at the Otavalo market?

The traditional musical instruments featured include various sizes of 'flautas de pan', 'flauta dulce' decorated with Andean motifs, and 'charangos'.

What other types of artisanal products can be found at the Otavalo market?

Other artisanal products available at the market include artworks, textiles, hammocks, and creations by painters such as the famous Guayasamín.

What is the significance of the Otavalo market's location near the Peguche waterfall?

The proximity to the magical surroundings like the Peguche waterfall makes Otavalo an ideal place to immerse oneself in the ancestral culture that has been preserved to this day.