Ao po'i y bordados de Pilar
Ao po'i
Tablecloths, appliqués and garments embroidered by women of Pilar: ao po'i, crochet, encaje ju and ñandutí in the south of the country.
What it is
Pilar, capital of Ñeembucú, has a textile craft made almost entirely by women. According to a 2023 UNDP study of at least 80 women artisans in the city, the most used technique is embroidery on ao po'i, followed by crochet and, less so, encaje ju, ñandutí and two-needle knitting. The main products are tablecloths and appliqués for clothing. It is less known than the crafts of Cordillera or Guairá and is worth a stop if you travel the south.
History
Ao po'i, a light cotton cloth, is associated above all with Yataity del Guairá, but it is embroidered and sold in many towns. The UNDP study links this textile craft to the garment-making value chain in Pilar.
Did you know…?
Women often combine several techniques in one piece, which is why the percentages in the study add up to more than 100.
Where to buy
At craft fairs and exhibitions organised by Pilar's municipality and at fairs of the Instituto Paraguayo de Artesanía. Ask the municipality about the city's artisan associations.