Fortunately, handmade weaving techniques, transmitted from one generation to the next, are still current today, despite all technological advances.  These weavers understand that their art has millenary roots, of which they are very proud, even if their main objective today is economic sustainability.

Many diverse factors have caused the elimination of various steps in the production of a handmade piece, as the use of natural dyes, or hand spinning.  This results in a greater production, as it takes less time to produce each piece, and therefore, more sales.  But luckily, there are many weavers interested in not losing the ancestral knowledge relative to dying and spinning techniques, and continue maintaining these processes alive through their art, even at higher costs in work, time and money.

The native cultures of the northwestern territory of Argentina (today mainly the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Catamarca, and Santiago del Estero) of the historical Period called "Temprano" (Early), approximately between 600 B.C. and 650 A.D., after the hunting-recollecting Period, already demonstrated a high level of development in weaving techniques for textiles.  These textiles first appeared to cover a basic necessity for shelter, but later were integrated into everyday life, enriching the techniques, art, and their connection with supreme beliefs.  The designs identify and determine trade, social and civil status, and what geographical area they belong to.  From nomads to sedentary tribes, weavings evolved always respecting their origin.  These hand-woven fabrics reflect the mountain man of the Andes, who from ancestral times covers his basic needs with the natural elements of his environment: plants, animals, and minerals.

Originally, spinning and weaving were performed with the wool of animals such as vicuña (known as the storm proof camel of the Andes), alpaca, guanaco, and llama.  After the arrival of the Spaniards, the use of sheep wool was expanded.  Vicuña and alpaca are endangered species today, since they were hunted almost to extinction due to their fine wool fiber and fur.  Today, these textiles are still being weaved, mainly with llama and sheep wool (both domestic animals), following the same ancestral techniques, and are incorporated into urban life.

Without a doubt textile art has received the impact of both the Inca (approx. 1400's) and Spanish (approx. 1500's) conquests, and continues alive today, in part thanks to the weavers we have the pleasure of working with.