Brief history
Saraguros (indigenous and mestizos) went to the tropical valley of Yacuambi in the Amazon (Zamora-Chinchipe province) approximately
one hundred years ago. Nobody knows the exact reason why the Saraguros went there. Some people believe that Saraguros went to the
valley in search for gold; others think that the indigenous people went looking for better places to establish pasture for their cattle. The
emigration of Saraguro’s people ended up with their meeting of the Shuar people (called “Jibaros” by the emigrants at that time). The
Shuar had little resistance against the newcomers. The two indigenous nationalities establish ed trade for their products; the
Saraguros provided hunting weapons (guns) and other products from the highlands to trade for tropical products from the jungle. It was
during this time that the Shuar introduced glass seed beads as one their products to exchange according to Jim and Linda Belote, former
professors from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Beads were first strung as individual strands with cotton string to tie the necklace. Silver coins and silver religious medals were included
in the strands at times. In some other cultures beads have different meanings such as religious, medicinal and esoteric expressions .
This is not the case in Saraguro. There is little information in Saraguro regarding bead meaning within the indigenous cosmovision.
Whatever the meaning, the Saraguro women started wearing beads, not only as individual strands but also elaborately woven bead
collars. Since the early 1960s these have become an essential part of the indigenous Saraguro woman’s outfit.
The first indigenous women to wear woven bead necklaces were those who lived in Oñakapak, Gurudel and Gera communities. The
first woven bead necklaces were wide and they covered the shoulder and the upper part of the arm. Some necklaces measured up to 30
cms. wide. Some women added small silver coins on the edge their necklaces to add more stylishness.
All Saraguro indigenous women wear bead necklaces; from children to adults. At the beginning of the 1980s, some Saraguro teenage
boys started wearing beaded bracelets and pendants, nevertheless the use of beads by Saraguro men has not become popular. An
exceptional case is the beaded “Silver Rosary” that is worn by the groom on his wedding day, by the “Marcantaita” (person who presides
over the Christmas celebration) and by the “Alumbradores” (persons who preside over the Holy Week celebrations). In the “Silver
Rosary” medium size beads alternate with silver coins. Bead weaving is done by women mainly; although some men also know how to
do it, they either make them for their wives to wear or to sell them.
Commercial Production
It is believed that until the beginning of the 1980s all the beadwork was done only for personal use. Around this time some shops in
Saraguro begun selling necklaces locally. This market started growing and the beadwork not only was sold in town but also in other
cities around Ecuador especially in Otavalo and Cañar. Because of the increasing demand, many women spent their time doing mostly
beadwork. New patterns are being developed constantly according to the customers' demand not only nationally but also internationally.
Types of beadwork
Since beads first appeared in Saraguro, patterns have been changing constantly. There are many patterns that were developed
according to the designers’ preferences. It is important to mention that in Saraguro there is no written or audio-visual method that helps
as a guide to do beadwork. All designs are exclusive creations of Saraguro indigenous women who make them. There is a diversity of
bead colors, but the most popular beads are those in opaque (nontranslucent) colors. Following is a list of items that are been made in
Saraguro using beads.
1. Necklaces
2. Pendants
3. Earrings
4. Bracelets
5. Rings
6. Bags
7. Belts
8. Key chains
9. Hair bands
10. Embroidery on blouses and petticoats
Our Store
All the products that you find on this web-site are made by the members of our family and others members in our community that are
interested in selling their products overseas. Our objective is to encourage and strengthen family businesses through the delivery of
authentic high quality products that exceed our customers' expectations.
Saraguros (indigenous and mestizos) went to the tropical valley of Yacuambi in the Amazon (Zamora-Chinchipe province) approximately
one hundred years ago. Nobody knows the exact reason why the Saraguros went there. Some people believe that Saraguros went to the
valley in search for gold; others think that the indigenous people went looking for better places to establish pasture for their cattle. The
emigration of Saraguro’s people ended up with their meeting of the Shuar people (called “Jibaros” by the emigrants at that time). The
Shuar had little resistance against the newcomers. The two indigenous nationalities establish ed trade for their products; the
Saraguros provided hunting weapons (guns) and other products from the highlands to trade for tropical products from the jungle. It was
during this time that the Shuar introduced glass seed beads as one their products to exchange according to Jim and Linda Belote, former
professors from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Beads were first strung as individual strands with cotton string to tie the necklace. Silver coins and silver religious medals were included
in the strands at times. In some other cultures beads have different meanings such as religious, medicinal and esoteric expressions .
This is not the case in Saraguro. There is little information in Saraguro regarding bead meaning within the indigenous cosmovision.
Whatever the meaning, the Saraguro women started wearing beads, not only as individual strands but also elaborately woven bead
collars. Since the early 1960s these have become an essential part of the indigenous Saraguro woman’s outfit.
The first indigenous women to wear woven bead necklaces were those who lived in Oñakapak, Gurudel and Gera communities. The
first woven bead necklaces were wide and they covered the shoulder and the upper part of the arm. Some necklaces measured up to 30
cms. wide. Some women added small silver coins on the edge their necklaces to add more stylishness.
All Saraguro indigenous women wear bead necklaces; from children to adults. At the beginning of the 1980s, some Saraguro teenage
boys started wearing beaded bracelets and pendants, nevertheless the use of beads by Saraguro men has not become popular. An
exceptional case is the beaded “Silver Rosary” that is worn by the groom on his wedding day, by the “Marcantaita” (person who presides
over the Christmas celebration) and by the “Alumbradores” (persons who preside over the Holy Week celebrations). In the “Silver
Rosary” medium size beads alternate with silver coins. Bead weaving is done by women mainly; although some men also know how to
do it, they either make them for their wives to wear or to sell them.
Commercial Production
It is believed that until the beginning of the 1980s all the beadwork was done only for personal use. Around this time some shops in
Saraguro begun selling necklaces locally. This market started growing and the beadwork not only was sold in town but also in other
cities around Ecuador especially in Otavalo and Cañar. Because of the increasing demand, many women spent their time doing mostly
beadwork. New patterns are being developed constantly according to the customers' demand not only nationally but also internationally.
Types of beadwork
Since beads first appeared in Saraguro, patterns have been changing constantly. There are many patterns that were developed
according to the designers’ preferences. It is important to mention that in Saraguro there is no written or audio-visual method that helps
as a guide to do beadwork. All designs are exclusive creations of Saraguro indigenous women who make them. There is a diversity of
bead colors, but the most popular beads are those in opaque (nontranslucent) colors. Following is a list of items that are been made in
Saraguro using beads.
1. Necklaces
2. Pendants
3. Earrings
4. Bracelets
5. Rings
6. Bags
7. Belts
8. Key chains
9. Hair bands
10. Embroidery on blouses and petticoats
Our Store
All the products that you find on this web-site are made by the members of our family and others members in our community that are
interested in selling their products overseas. Our objective is to encourage and strengthen family businesses through the delivery of
authentic high quality products that exceed our customers' expectations.
According to Alejandrina Medina, who spent her childhood in Yacuambi and actually is
one of the founders of “Teresa de Calcuta” Women's Cooperative which does bead-work;
beads were introduced in Saraguro as a product of exchange between Saraguros and
Shuar. It is unknown how the Shuar got the beads. Nevertheless they offered beads to
exchange for puppy dogs with theindigenous people of Saraguro. People who went to
Yacuambi during the decade of the 1950s were the first ones to introduce beads to
Saraguro.
Beads initially were known in Saraguro as “Jibaritos” (due to their origin). Available
colors at that time were red, blue, yellow and white. The indigenous people were
attracted to their small size and colors. Women who had relatives in the Amazon were
the first people to wear beaded necklaces.
The first indigenous vendors came from Chimborazo bringing beads as part of their
merchandise to sell or trade for sheepskins. The beads were known as “pearls”
(perlas). The colors offered by these sellers were blue, white and yellow. Thus beads
were available at the market for the majority of Saraguro people and especially for those
who did not have relatives in Yacuambi.
one of the founders of “Teresa de Calcuta” Women's Cooperative which does bead-work;
beads were introduced in Saraguro as a product of exchange between Saraguros and
Shuar. It is unknown how the Shuar got the beads. Nevertheless they offered beads to
exchange for puppy dogs with theindigenous people of Saraguro. People who went to
Yacuambi during the decade of the 1950s were the first ones to introduce beads to
Saraguro.
Beads initially were known in Saraguro as “Jibaritos” (due to their origin). Available
colors at that time were red, blue, yellow and white. The indigenous people were
attracted to their small size and colors. Women who had relatives in the Amazon were
the first people to wear beaded necklaces.
The first indigenous vendors came from Chimborazo bringing beads as part of their
merchandise to sell or trade for sheepskins. The beads were known as “pearls”
(perlas). The colors offered by these sellers were blue, white and yellow. Thus beads
were available at the market for the majority of Saraguro people and especially for those
who did not have relatives in Yacuambi.
| Aleja Medina, 1962 Photo: Jim Belote |
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Saraguro Beadwork
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