Ñandutí

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Ñandutí

Ñandutí ( Guaraní Ñanduti , from Ñandu , 'spider' and -ti , the ending of the word for the color white) is a non- bobbin lace made of fine threads and its technique resembles a spider's web . A star-shaped base fabric is stretched into a frame and its threads are connected concentrically, from inside to outside, similar to a spider's web. In addition to single-colored tips, there are also richly contrasted and colorful ones. This lace is used alone, for example, as a table runner or to decorate clothes. This type of fabric is vaguely reminiscent of Tenerife lace .

This handicraft is typical for the city of Itauguá which is located in the Central Department in Paraguay and is only dominated by a limited number of women.

Government projects to preserve this cultural asset are ongoing.

The legend of Ñandutí

The amorous chief Ñandu Guazú (Great Nandu ) woos his loved one Sapurú. Sapurú's father prefers another chief, Jasy Ñemoñaré, the son of the moon, who has lunar silver to offer. Ñandu Guazú in his grief, thinks of suicide. He wanders through the jungle and finds, hidden in a tree trunk, the most beautiful fabric he has ever seen: white, shining, a wonder of nature. Jasy Ñemoñaré appears and after a short fight Ñandu Guazú wins. The moon weeps for the fate of his son. Ñandu Guazú, who now feels safe, wants to take the wondrous material with him, but it crumbles under his hands. Deeply sad, he realizes that he can never court the hand of his beloved.

During the night, Ñandu Guazú's mother thinks about the fate of her son. She thinks and feels like the hard-working little spider and weaves the very same wondrous fabric out of her own white hair. So she helps her son to his happiness.

And as a thank you, the hard-working little spider has been allowed to bear the name of the ostrich bird since that day: Ñandu.

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