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The
mission of Otavalito embraces working directly with indigenous
Ecuadoran artisans to insure fair prices for products, provide
ongoing product development, promote sales and foster education
and work projects in the greater Otavalo community.
Artisans
who supply Otavalito are from rural agricultural communities
in the province of Imbabura, Ecuador, where families have lived
for thousands of years. Income from handiwork is the major and
often only source of income, providing for basic necessities,
preserving traditional arts.
Following
centuries of repression by Spanish conquistadors, weavers once
enslaved by foreigners in sweatshops have in recent decades accomplished
a significant degree of independence and growing success as well
as maintained a strong cultural identity. These indigenous producers,
working out of their homes and through collectives, are some
of the most accomplished in Ecuador. |
