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When visitors to the Andes think of weaving, they envision llamas, alpacas and vicunas. Less known but equally emblematic of these high elevation indigenous villages are the various woven shigra bags made of plant fiber. Shigra bags are usually woven by women, either as a pastime or as a fulltime occupation. In Ecuador, the plant fiber crafts are most associated with the central Andes what are today the provinces of Cotopaxi, Tungurahua and Chimborazo.
Shigras are made from different plant species, one a gigantic, succulent of the agave family that grows in the high elevations of Ecuador. It can be referred to as cabuya, fique, penca or maguey. Because the plant fibers expand when wet and can be woven so tightly, a shigra can hold water without dripping. In the Andean highlands, these bags may be used to carry seeds and in the capital city of Quito, they may be used as fashion accessories!
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MNMF Shops Gift Cards
Perfect for any gift giving!
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The Socially Conscious Shopper!
We all benefit by taking a few moments to learn of the eco-friendly options available as we go about our daily lives. Whether choosing a gift, planning a vacation, or reducing energy waste within our homes, our choices make a difference. The products we feature are leading by example in terms of sustainable and socially conscious business practices. Model communities throughout the world continue to lessen their footprint on our fragile planet and still support themselves and their families.
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Tagua Nut Necklace
Tagua is considered the new ECO "ivory" because of its strength, color, beauty and resilient qualities. Tagua seeds come from the Tagua Palm tree found in the Pacific coasts of the tropical regions between Colombia and Ecuador.
Before the invention of plastics, and when ivory had become scarce, tagua seeds had been used for hundreds of years as a raw material for luxury articles, and with the ascend of plastics, tagua was disposed of. But in the last decade tagua is living a GREEN revolution, and is valued again for its beauty, for its characteristics, as a natural, biodegradable, sustainable, and renewable resource, and as a way of protecting and saving the elephants and rain forest in our fragile world. Our selection of jewelry comes from strictly government controlled environments, making sure that sufficient seeds are left to perpetuate the palms, and the tagua native habitat.
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Rwandan Plateau Basket
Plateau baskets feature striking colors & traditional motifs. The artisan crafts each one-of-a-kind basket by hand - using needles & fine plant threads. The technique requires patience, precision & great skill to master. Made from earthen materials (sisal, papyrus, bamboo leaf and sweet grass), the women in this cooperative in Rwanda work hard to create beautiful basketry that helps lifts them out of poverty.
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Ethiopian Cotton Scarf
 This gauzy cotton textile is accented with panels of thin white stripes. It works well as a scarf or a shawl and makes the perfect travel piece. Wrinkles complement it!
Changing women's lives when they exist in challenging and dangerous conditions is a difficult mission. This cooperative in Sabahar, Ethiopia has grown from a fledgling start-up with 4 employees to a vibrant business employing over 65 full time employees and many more part-time spinners, cotton growers and weavers.
The humid conditions and rich soil in Ethiopia along the Nile River Valley create the perfect conditions to grow long cotton fibers (also known as staples). This allows them to be spun into very fine yarns. These yarns are soft and lustrous yet are very strong and durable.
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Have You Joined the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Yet?
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When you do, you will receive 10% off all purchases made online and at our shops. Plus, you will receive the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Newsletter, which is your source for Member News and Events. You will also receive a subscription to El Palacio magazine, the oldest museum magazine in the United States! Click here to join.
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