THE STORY OF OTAVALITO (little Otavalo):
 A FAIR TRADE MARKET

Otavalito (formerly Otavalos) began in 1986 as a cooperative effort between Otavalo families in Ecuador and their North American friends to bring cultural programs of music and a fair trade craft market to the international community.

The town of Otavalo, located in the province of Imbabura, lies at an altitude of 9,000 feet above sea level in the Northern Ecuadorian Andes. The approximately 50,000 indigenous people of this rural community are called Otavaleños.

The land surrounding this region is owned in small parcels by the Otavaleños who produce cotton, cereals, sugar cane, potatoes, fruit and livestock. The main economic activity however, centers on the Otavalo craft market, famous for its wool and cotton textiles, leather goods and native jewelry.

In pre-colonial times, they were already an independent people trading with the Inca empire to the south. The weavers of the villages in and near Otavolo are the most accomplished in Ecuador. Work is contracted and done in an extended family structure in the homes of the artisans

For more information on programs of music or craft sales, contact Robin Tinholt at (269) 857-7199, or come visit the "Otavalito" store in downtown Saugatuck, MI, on 423 Water St. You may also contact Otavalito by email by clicking here.

Please visit our "Mission" page to read and see more regarding the mission of Otavalito - CLICK HERE


  Hot lunch served daily at Pintag school in La Companía
423 Water Street in Saugatuck, MI
[across from gazebo]
Call us at (269) 857-7199 or e-mail us

Diana at her loom

The Chango family at work

Knitter from Carabuela

Women's co-op work

Weaving the future