Artisans in Guangopolo, Ecuador, are struggling to keep the traditional craft of weaving horsehair sieves

The ancient art of weaving horsehair sieves in Guangopolo, Ecuador, teeters on the brink of extinction. Once thriving, the craft supported around 500 families, producing up to 600 sieves monthly. Today, demand has plummeted to a mere 10 sales per week. Industrial expansion and shifting environmental conditions have driven up costs and made sourcing materials increasingly challenging. Younger generations show little interest in pursuing this ancestral skill, further endangering its survival. Efforts to preserve this cultural heritage must navigate the delicate balance between modernization and tradition.