Mapuche Poncho: Tralikan Weaving of Chile
Hannah Wickes·Published
The Tralikan
The Mapuche tralikan is a handwoven poncho that serves as a marker of identity and cultural resistance. Each Mapuche community maintains distinct weaving patterns.
Vertical Loom Weaving
Mapuche women weave on a vertical loom (witral) — a tradition maintained for over a thousand years. The warp is set vertically, and the weft is beaten upward with a wooden comb.
The Gunelve Star
- Eight-pointed star representing the morning star
- Cross designs for the four cardinal directions
- Zigzag patterns for rivers and the path of life
