Arawak Loom

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

I am looking for any resources, especially photos/descriptions of the type of looms the Tainos would have used. The only name I have come across so far is called an Arawak Loom, but I can't seem to find any info on it. Thanks in advance, Kauamarix

[Miguel Sague Jr]

Unfortunately the information available is extremely sparse in regard to Taino weaving techniques in general. There is only one good source of info that I found in which a team of professional weavers actually analyze one famous Taino woven piece (the cotton cemi), and provide a full, detailed explication of exactly how it was crafted. In any case, this explication does not reveal the use of a loom and strongly suggests that the ancient Tainos knitted or crocheted their fabrics using perhaps one or more knitting needles. I know that this may be a disappointment to you because you seem to have hoped for info on a loom but right now the evidence seems to suggest that our Taino ancestors and pergaps even their mainland South American Arawakan forebears did not use looms at all, but knitting needles.

[Miguel Sague Jr]

Click this LINK to access an internet page that contains information on this analysis of the cotton cemi by professional weavers 

[Miguel Sague Jr]

Click this LINK to access a page where you can download a full pdf copy of the analysis of the cotton cemi by professional weavers

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

WOW! Hahom Miguel. I scanned it quickly. I see it did mention sprang as a possibility for part of the construction. I will read it in detail. Very exciting. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprang 

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

I read the article in detail. Very interesting. Some areas, for example, around the eye sockets, looks like I could fingerweave that. I am still loking at the wide chest pieces. They certainly look like something that was knitted or crocheted. Looks like I may have to pick up another hobby. Thanks again. Any chance you have an analysis on the beaded cemi?

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

Backstrap weaving, which was done in ancient Mexico produces this which looks exactly like the wider cotton cemi pieces. Hmmm??

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

Found it. Analysis of one of the beaded cemis article.

[Miguel Sague Jr]

Thanks for the info on the beaded cemi.

[Tenanche Semi-Ata Rose Golden]

Takahi Datiao,

I saw the post asking about a Taino loom so I investigated a little and found some promising information. It is part of a bulletin published by U.S. Government Printing Office. It seems to refer to the South American Arawaks. In order to see the complete text, you have to buy it, however.Title is: Handbook of South American Indians, Bulletin Issue 143, Part 5. I am including a link to the page below. If the link doesn't work, try doing a Google search using the title above. If the South American Arawaks used a loom, maybe the Caribbean Tainos also used one, maybe to weave cloth.

Here is a quote found on the link:

Page 107

Page 116

Hope this helps with your research.

Bibi Tenanche Cemi Ata

 

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

Tenanche Semi-Ata Rose Golden 

Just saw this response. The description is clearly describing backstrap looming (currently done in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, and am sure in other places in South and Central America). Let me see if your reference is describing South American Arawaks in the past or now.

https://backstrapweaving.wordpress.com/backstrap-basics-an-article-... 

The quest continues.......

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

I completed a new loom which will allow me to weave wider pieces. Right now it is set up to accept 180 cards with room for more if needed. 2nd photo-a pet peave with my current loom is that my weights would hit the edge of the table as the weaving came to the end. This loom has the edge cantilevered over the edge to prevent this. The front of the loom has nails every 2 inches to bring my weaving down. I tried cutting angled slots into the wood but it did not come out right (you can see those slots on the front of the left board. I included a bar which stays in place where the weaving will wrap around to keep it off the front edge of the table. I am completing a new design on a headband but then plan to weave 15 inch wide naguas

[Nelson Kaoamarix Zayas]

more photos