Cestería de piri y caña de Atyrá
Baskets and decorations woven from piri reeds and Castilian cane by families in Atyrá, from grandmothers to grandchildren.
What it is
Besides leather, Atyrá has a family basketry: piri reeds and Castilian cane are grown in the yard and interwoven into baskets of various sizes, bases for rustic décor, table centrepieces and souvenirs. An ABC report profiled a family in the Caacupemí district with three generations weaving; the founder learned by watching a weaver in San Bernardino and practising in her own yard. The Instituto Paraguayo de Artesanía places these materials (totora, karanda'y, jata'i, wicker) in its basketry branch.
History
The founder discovered the craft while selling homemade preserves in the area and, after receiving orders, took it up full time. It is a good example of how a small trade is passed on within a household.
Did you know…?
Atyrá is better known for its leatherwork, which already has its own entry in this database.
Where to buy
It is small, family-based production. Ask Atyrá's municipality about local fairs and look for the basket weavers at Instituto Paraguayo de Artesanía fairs.