Tobatí pottery
Kambuchi
Black-clay jugs and monumental figures — black angels, caimans — by the women potters of the 21 de Julio district.
What it is
In the rural district of 21 de Julio in Tobatí, women have always made kambuchi (water jugs), ñaupy for roasting peanuts and ñae, deep bowls for preparing chipa (Paraguay's cheesy cassava bread), all built by hand with coils. From that utilitarian base, families such as the Nogueras developed a language of their own: black angels seated or kneeling, caimans, voluminous human figures and platters decorated in relief.
History
Doña Mercedes Areco de Noguera (1938–2023) learned the craft from her mother, Rafaela Areco, and taught it to her daughters, who transformed utilitarian pottery into signature art. Tobatí is one of the three communities behind the ñai'ũpo tradition recognized by UNESCO in 2025.
Did you know…?
Tobatí bills itself as Paraguay's crafts capital: besides pottery, it has saint carvers, timbó-wood mask makers and weavers of loom-woven sashes.
Where to buy
Family workshops in the 21 de Julio district; the Areco de Noguera family workshop is on the IPA's National Crafts Route (visits by appointment). Tobatí is close to Caacupé and Atyrá, in the Cordillera department. The Ruta Nacional de la Artesanía, launched by the IPA in 2023, links workshops in Areguá, Tobatí, Yataity, Carapeguá, Pirayú, Itá and Piribebuy, with Tobatí as the pilot circuit; check its map at ruta.artesania.gov.py before you go.