Mundillo

Mundillo is a craft of handmade bobbin lace that is cultivated and honored on the island of Puerto Rico and Panama.[1] The term 'mundillo' means 'little world', referring to the cylindrical pillow on which the lace maker ('Mundillista') weaves intricate designs. The decorative lace is created using wooden bobbins about the diameter of a pencil, which are wound with thread that is twisted and crossed to form a pattern. Depending on the pattern, as few as two dozen or as many as several hundred bobbins may be used.

Mundillo (bobbin lace)

In addition to its use as edging and borders on tablecloths and handkerchiefs, and for traditional shirt collars and trim, mundillo is also used to decorate items for special occasions, such as wedding dresses, baptismal gowns, and the cloths used to adorn religious icons. It is said that it was once common for lovers to exchange mundillo lace with romantic inscriptions.[2]

Bobbin lace was brought to Puerto Rico from Spain,[3] where it had thrived in major commercial markets as well as a cottage industry in Galicia, Castilla, and Catalonia. In Spain, lace is called encaje, because it was worked on separately and then joined to material (the Spanish word for "join" is encajar). In Puerto Rico, the towns of Moca, Isabela, and Aguadilla, all in the northwestern part of the island, are famous for mundillo lace. In Moca, commonly known as the Capital or cradle of Mundillo,[4] there is an annual festival dedicated to the handmade lace as well as a museum, El Museo Del Mundillo.[5]

Mundillo is celebrated and featured in festivals around the island.[6] A workshop with kits to help train newcomers to mundillo was offered in Morovis in 2018.[7]

See also

References
  1. Panamá, GESE-La Estrella de. "El arte de tejer el mundillo". La Estrella de Panamá.
  2. Martinez, Elena (Fall–Winter 2003). "The Queen of Mundillo". Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore. 29. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  3. "encajes". Vimeo.
  4. "Directorio de Municipios de Puerto Rico". PR GOV.
  5. Haskins, John (January 22, 2009). "Affordable Caribbean: Puerto Rico" – via NYTimes.com.
  6. Journal, Newsroom, The Weekly. "Old San Juan Artisan Fair to Showcase Local Handmade Crafts". The Weekly Journal.
  7. elvocero.com, Redacción. "Morovis celebrará Primer Festival del Tejido Moroveño". El Vocero de Puerto Rico.
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