CRAFTSMAN: Mariela Medina LOCATION: Rari MATERIAL: Crin
In the Maule Region, 22 kilometers from the city of Linares, is the town of Rari. Oral tradition tells that the art of weaving horsehair has more than 200 years of history in this area, where it has remained almost intact over time. One of the reasons that has given rise to this trade has been thanks to the relative geographical isolation of Rari, which has allowed the conservation of ancestral weaving techniques.
For the elaboration of this traditional basketry, the hair of the horse's tail is used. The process begins by looking for the raw material and then proceeds to clean it and remove its natural fat, washing the fiber several times with detergents and disinfectants. Afterwards it is dried in the open air and the fibers are selected by thickness, depending on the piece to be made. The fibers to be dyed are also selected, some are used in their intense and contrasting natural colors, while others are dyed with chemical or aniline dyes, or even with vegetable dyes to obtain more opaque colors.
Once the fiber preparation process is complete, the Rari artisans prepare to weave. The basic unit of weaving is the circumference, a concentric element that is woven from the center outwards. With this principle, the Rari artisans shape their works of art, weaving almost automatically, since the technique is handled in their hands as a unique knowledge in Chile and in the world.
The community of artisans from Rari was recognized as a Living Human Treasure in 2010 by the National Council of Cultures and the Arts and by UNESCO. In 2015, Rari was declared a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council. In our online store, you can find some of these incredible horsehair works of art, created by the talented hands of Mariela Medina and other Rari artisans.
