Santa Cruz: Quillanguería as Argentine Intangible Cultural Heritage

The  Ministry of Culture of the Nation  has, for some time, carried out the survey of the  Cultural Heritage Intangible Argentine . It is a tool to gather and share information about cultural manifestations that form part of the identity of communities in Argentina. Traditional ways of doing, naming, producing or celebrating that continue to be practiced, which are passed on to the new generations and contribute to strengthening collective ties. Today we want to tell you what have been relieved so far in the province of  Santa Cruz : quillanguería.

Patagonian quillanguería

This is an artisanal technique for the manufacture of the kai tehuelche or cape in guanaco leather. The material is worked in different stages; among the main ones are scraping, tanning, sobbing and washing, maceration, staking, stitching and decorating. The current practice is aimed at revitalizing artisanal value and promoting the recognition of the cultural identity of indigenous communities.

Quillanguería is a millennial technique that consists of the use of animal leather for the making of clothing, among other purposes.  Tehuelches  used it with their hair inward and the side of the leather was painted with designs typical of their culture.

To preserve techniques like this, in  Patagonia , scientists of the  CONICET  work to ensure that the culture of the indigenous peoples will remain more alive than ever, through workshops of pampa loom, stone carving, quillanguería and ceramics intended for the whole community.

In order to take advantage of their legacy, scientists from the National Patagonic Center (CENPAT-CONICET), based in  Puerto Madryn , Chubut, develop a project to rescue and reintegrate technologies aboriginal people who are no longer practiced or at risk of disappearing, in addition to the archaeology work they do at the Institute.