May 12, 2021

Craftwork in wool is one of the artistic traditions that characterizes the Chilote culture. The climate of this magnificent archipelago in the south of Chile has led its inhabitants to seek warmth through weaving, using the ancient textile techniques of the Mapuche people.

Wool plays a very important role in the history of Chiloé and in the life of its islanders. Not only is it an excellent form of protection from the cold and rain, but it is also a reflection of the local culture, so closely bound with nature and the communal lifestyle.

It is mainly the island women who have taken on the job of keeping this tradition alive, passing on their knowledge through each generation over centuries.  Observing their mothers and grandmothers, they have managed to learn and continue using the same techniques of their ancestors, those which were inspired by Mapuche weaving techniques. It is the women who spin, dye, form balls, and weave.

Originally, the wool of Chiloé was obtained from the guanacos, but, with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores in the XVI century, this animal became extinct in the area, making way for sheep’s wool. At the beginning, their weavings were white, but with the arrival of exchange commerce, colors and designs began to appear.