Ñandutí : It is a lace needlework, which is embroidered in light wooden racks to which a fabric is fastened that allows the pattern to appear, hand-embroidered lace in racks of light wood to which a fabric is fastened that allows the pattern to be transparent, or on which the pattern is drawn, usually zoomorphic or geometric.
Summary
[ hide ]
- 1 Legend
- 2 History
- 3 Design
- 4 Termination
- 5 Uses of Ñandutí
- 6 Source
Legend
Legend has it that two brave Guarani warriors lived in Paraguay , Yasy Ñemoñare (son of the moon ) and Ñandú Guasu ( large spider ). Both disputed the love of a beautiful young woman who had decided to marry the suitor who brought her the best and most original gift. One night Yasy Ñemoñare pleaded with Tupá ( God) to help him conquer his beloved and saw on top of a huge tree a kind of silver-colored lace: it was perfect, full of reflections, without a doubt, an insurmountable gift. Dazzled, he climbed up to lower it. Suddenly, Ñandú Guasu emerged from the foliage, who also loved him. The two fought in a duel of love until Yasy Ñemoñare was lying under the moonlight . Then, the victor quickly climbed the tree in search of the coveted cloak, but when he wanted to take it, the tissue was instantly torn, as it was a spider web . Dejected the warrior told his mother the terrible secret. She, to help her son, went to the forest, watched the spider weave and decided to imitate it. He took his needles and since he couldn’t find a threadsimilar, it wove with its shiny gray hair . With patience and tenderness, he created the delicate lace to make Ñandú Guasu happy, who presented the work and was deserving of the young woman’s love. Since then the descendants of the couple continued weaving the fine carving that we now know as ñandutí, an eternal tribute to telento and the wisdom of a mother, until it became the typical lace of the Mediterranean nation.
History
Paraguay is colloquially known as the heart of America , it is a rich land for its crafts and within these the fine ñandutí lace stands out. Currently, the city of Itauguá , founded in 1728 , is known as the homeland of this craft, since the production and marketing of the product is the main source of work and income for the town. This lace has its origin in the colonial era, descending from the typical Canarian lace, keeping great resemblance to that of Tenerife , which was introduced in Paraguayby Spanish women during the 17th and 18th centuries. Until very recently, it was common for weavers to spin their own yarns using home spindles and looms, but industrial yarns are used today.
Design
The designs are made with a base of radial circles, originally it was only made in white thread, although now it is also made in colors. The designs of the ñandutí differ throughout Paraguay more for the decorative reference motifs than for the technique used to manufacture them; thus those of Itauguá resemble always round suns or wheels and are more lavishly adorned, while those of Carapeguá are of warp and much more open weft.
Termination
Once the embroidery is finished, it is washed with soapy water and dried in the sun, then it is given a hot starch water and a new drying in the sun, and it ends with a water with a little tile. Every time a piece must be washed, it is necessary to proceed in the same way.
Uses of Ñandutí
This special lace is used to make details on clothing, religious ornaments, hats, fans, tablecloths, curtains and all kinds of ornamental items; Thus it becomes an ancient art that does not renounce the utilitarian and the daily.
