Asunción, Agencia IP.- The 60-list Poncho Para’í, one of the most representative symbols of Paraguayan culture, was recognized this Tuesday as an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
Today, the ancestral and traditional techniques of making the 60-list Poncho Para’í, from Piribebuy, Republic of Paraguay, become part of the List of Intangible Cultural.
It is a Paraguayan handmade garment that consists of three parts: the body, the fringes, and the fajita or guard. Each part requires different artisanal procedures carried out jointly by women weavers.
Historically, indigenous peoples first used ancestral techniques transmitted orally from mothers to daughters. The garment symbolizes unity and identity and enjoys national recognition for its design and originality.
With the inclusion in this important list, the aim is to promote the dissemination of the country’s cultural heritage and raise awareness among the population about preserving it.
It is essential to mention that the name of the poncho is due to the 60 soldiers who were killed and buried in a mass grave in the Triple Alliance War. The soldiers wore black and white ponchos.
To highlight the importance of this artisanal tradition
During the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the importance of this artisanal tradition was highlighted, identifying Paraguay as a nation with unparalleled cultural diversity, with 19 indigenous communities, five linguistic families, and two official languages, Guaraní and Spanish, grew in an environment of migrant and Afro-descendant cultures.
Likewise, the Minister of Culture, Adriana Ortiz Semidei, expressed her gratitude to the Government of Botswana and each member country of the Committee for supporting this designation that promotes the union of efforts to safeguard heritage.
«This recognition pays tribute to the master artisans of the heroic city of Piribebuy, bearers of traditional knowledge who make the continuity of this ancient technique possible,» she said.
This achievement results from an arduous process in which the private sector’s efforts, the Municipality of Piribebuy, and the Government were added, led by the National Secretariat of Culture, and supported by the National Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
«Today, Paraguayan pride rises to the sky, embracing this distinction that honors our heritage and tradition. We invite every citizen to feel part of this recognition that takes our culture to all corners of the planet. The 60-list Poncho Para’í is more than a garment; the living history of our country dresses the world today!» the National Secretariat of Culture highlighted.