Sunday, September 11, 2011

Quechquimitl





Happy Birthday to Me!! I've wanted one of these Quechquimitl  (Ruanas) for years and finally got one!  I ordered it from Centinela Traditional Arts in Chimayo, New Mexico.  I will feel very elegant wrapped in it.  Happy, Happy Birthday to me!!

Added later in response to inquisitive minds:
In some cultures this poncho-like garment, called a quechquemitl, is from Mexico and has been worn by indigenous Mexican women for around two thousand years. Before the Spanish arrived in 1521, noble women and priests wore this type of garment during ceremonies, and goddesses were often depicted wearing them in statues and paintings. Today, many ordinary indigenous women in northern and central Mexico wear quechquemitl for warmth and decoration each day.

Like most quechquemitl,  they are traditionally composed of two rectangles of handwoven cloth stitched together to attach the end of each rectangle to the side of the other. This ingenious design forms a square garment that can be slipped over the head. The points of the square hang in front and back, but other quechquemitl are intended to be worn with the points hanging to the sides, over the shoulders, instead.

14 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Kate, and here's to many more! :-)

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  2. Happy Birthday to you, Great Kate! I'll look for a photo of you wrapped up in it posing somewhere in St. Paul on your St. Paul blog.....in front of the St. Paul Cathedral or St. Kate's College or....

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  3. That is a very stylish Quechquimitl, is that really what it's called Kate or are you having us on!! Anyway, it's always a good thing when you get what you want for birthday, look forward to seeing you 'styling' it for us!!

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  4. Thanks Kate, that explains everything..still want to see a picture of you 'goddess' like in your Quechquimitl !!

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  5. Well that is a beautiful piece. Happy Birthday my friend. Wishing you many many more.

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  6. Beautiful Kate! This is a wonderful birthday present!

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  7. Happy birthday, Kate. I do see women wearing these garments, but admittedly I never gave a thought to what their name is or what their origin is. Now I know a bit more. Have a grand b-day celebration.

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  8. I like the muted colors. A very nice birthday gift.

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  9. I bet you will indeed look elegant in one of these!

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  10. Kate,
    it is lovely! and what a wonderful gift to give to yourself! Happy Birthday!
    xoxo

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  11. Belated Happy Birthday Kate. No wonder you have wanted to have a Quechquimitl. Would love to see a photo with you as the model!

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