Handcrafted Art from Indigenous Women of Highland Ecuador
Weaving Friends and Strengthening Communities: The Tandana Foundation
The Tandana Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports community initiatives in rural Ecuador and Mali as well as offering immersive volunteer and cultural learning experiences and programs. Tandana comes from a Kichwa root meaning "to gather together" or "to unite" and it represents the spirit of our work. In addition to Yambiro, Tandana partners with a number of communities around the Otavalo Canton – which is located high in the Andes Mountains – on a wide variety of initiatives. All of these initiatives emerge from the communities’ priorities – from income generation to healthcare and education.
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By purchasing a beautiful hooked rug, you are supporting motivated women in rural Ecuador in improving their lives and the lives of their families and community.
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Determined to Thrive: The Yambiro Women’s Rug Hooking Group
In the indigenous community of Yambiro – where women often lack employment opportunities – artisans have joined together and learned the craft of rug hooking to earn extra income to support their families. The women’s group meets weekly to create the rug hooking pieces and continue to improve their abilities.
“Getting together lets us spend time doing something different. Not even the rain has stopped us from meeting – rain or shine, we stay together. Plus, while we’re working, we talk about everything, we laugh, and we have a good time.” - María Virginia Perugachi
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A Rich and Proud Culture: The Kichwa Otavalo
The Kichwa Otavalo are one of Ecuador's indigenous groups most successful at maintaining their cultural identity and traditions. Speaking both Kichwa and Spanish, they have learned to negotiate the power structures of their nation while retaining pride in their Indigenous heritage. Nature has deep significance to the Kichwa Otavalo – the father and mother volcanoes, Imbabura and Cotacachi, stand guard over the valleys and hills where families maintain deep cultural connection to this land and place. Many of the rugs hooked by the Yambiro women’s group reflect scenes from their homeland and the wildlife and natural environment that is found there.
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