Commitment to our artists and their culture

Maria Lucila Yamberla and Family – Guardians of the Art of Weaving

In a small, remote village in the mountains near Otavalo, Maria Lucila Yamberla and her family have dedicated their lives to the craft of weaving. Together with her husband, she preserves this tradition, which she has also passed on to her six children. While some of her children are now married and assist their partners in other artisanal trades, two of her sons, Yupanki (22) and Jordan (15), work alongside her daily in their workshop.

The process begins with her husband's long bus trips to remote villages to source the finest sheep wool. This wool is dyed and prepared at home before weaving can start. Using traditional looms, the family creates unique designs, producing up to eight rugs weekly by Maria Lucila and up to ten by Yupanki when he isn’t designing new patterns. Creating these designs can take weeks of experimentation, reflecting their dedication to preserving their culture and identity.

Miriam and David – Keepers of the Poncho Tradition

Miriam Yamberla, one of Maria Lucila’s daughters, has united two artisanal traditions through her marriage to David Vasquez. David learned the art of poncho-making from his parents, César Vasquez (61) and Rosa Terancabascango, who have passed down this craft through generations. Now, Miriam and David work alongside César and Rosa, gradually taking on the responsibility of keeping the tradition alive.

During our visit, the family welcomed us into their home and workshop, sharing every detail of their craft. From preparing the wool to creating the designs and weaving the ponchos, everything is done under one roof. Patterns are sketched by hand on paper before being transferred onto metal stencils for weaving, a process perfected through weeks of trial and error.

Working together, they create ponchos from sheep and llama wool that are not just garments but true works of art. Their dedication is evident in every step, with their daughter Naileth often joyfully playing among the looms, a symbol of how their rich heritage continues to thrive for future generations.