“Traditional Route” in Chile, Unique Products and Their Cultural Heritage Value

If you have come this far, it is because you want to learn in-depth about Chile’s “Traditional Route,” which is made up of products created by artisan women that you can find only in our country.

Chilean craftsmanship directly reflects the culture and traditions rooted in our territory from north to south, from the mountains to the sea. When you buy Chilean craftwork, you also bring a piece of our country into your home.

Keep reading and discovering their manufacturers, who brought unique and unrepeatable works of art to life.

The amazing wheat braiding of Itata

The products made of wheat straw use a single braid technique, which combines naturally dyed straw with trees and fruits native to our territory.

This craft of braiding wheat is one of the symbols of Chile, and it comes from the district of Ninhue in the Itata Valley, Ñuble region. As a matter of fact, the chupalla, a traditional hat used by the Chilean huaso, is crafted using this technique that local families have preserved.

According to the artisan Marcela Parra, the elaboration process is complex, and the product is handmade from start to finish. It starts with harvesting old wheat that is only sowed in the Itata Valley, and after that, the colchanera women start braiding it. In that way, unique products, like wall decorations, baskets, chupallas, and others, are crafted.

Wheat espigueros made by Marcela Parra. Photo: Red Artesanía.

Traditional Pottery from Quinchamalí

In Chile, you will find Quinchamalí pottery, also from the Itata Valley. These pieces are known for their striking black color and distinctive decorative shapes.

The dyeing of this ancestral technique is made of horse guano and was created by our native peoples, mainly by the Mapuche. It is still alive, thanks to the talented hands of the artisans.

Nayadet Núñez is one of them, known by the Chilean State as a Living Human Treasure. She is a well-known Chilean potter who has dedicated her life to preserving and renovating the rich tradition of Quinchamalí pottery.

Her efforts were worthy of the Regional Craftsmanship Award in 2022, a testimony to her commitment to the culture and art of her land.

Nayadet is part of the artisanNow platform, which seeks to reduce inequality and generate sustainable financial freedom for thousands of artisan women in Chile and Latin America, strengthening their economic autonomy and preserving their cultural identity.

Nayadet Núñez poses next to one of her creations. Photo: UPA Chillán

Rari mane and its colorful art

And what about those butterflies? How can we not see them, since the horsehair butterflies in the Maule Region will never go unnoticed. This type of craftsmanship is made in a small town in Central Chile named Rari, which was recognized by the World Crafts Council as a World Craft City.

Once these natural fibers are cleaned, the local artisans begin weaving and creating beautiful pieces inspired by the flora and fauna surrounding them.

A total of 45 artisan women from Rari participate in the project and digital platform Artesanías Chilenas, where their products can be purchased.

In addition to these beautiful butterflies, they elaborate other products such as necklaces, earrings, and glass markers, among others.