Coyoyo silk: Catamarca heritage

Each region of our country owns its own legacy that is passed on from generation to generation. The Ministry of Culture of the Nation is responsible for revealing these  traditions  that are part of the Argentine intangible cultural heritage. In the province of  Catamarca , there is a handicraft practice worthy of this recognition. This is the coyoyo silk yarn.

This technique of obtaining, spinning and weaving of wild silk has been developed in the town of Ancasti since pre-Columbian times. The work of the silk of the coyoyo begins with the collection of buds that reproduce uncontrolled in the  bush . Then these are boiled with ash, disassembled, dried and cleaned. Finally, they are spun with a small spindle, ovillate and weave pieces on loom.

Much has been done not to lose the traditional catamarquean practice of coyoyo silk yarn that so much deserves this recognition.