Handwoven agave bag with needle in Ecuador. What does Shigra mean? Kichwa term given to an object widely used by indigenous women as a personal bag, to collect and preserve seeds. The raw material of the shigras comes from the cabuya plant, a cactus similar to the Penco or agave, well known in other Latin American countries; however, the cabuya is a variety endemic to Ecuador.
Each shigra is weaved with a needle by a single woman who can take between 4 to 6 weeks for the design work and color combination. You have in your hands a unique piece of craftsmanship, thank you for helping us to preserve our ancient legacy.
