Aratoca en Hilos
Interactive book

Fique Workshop

"Trenzando Saberes" is the digital book of the Municipal Government of Aratoca on the history, transformation and future of fique in Santander. Seven illustrated, freely accessible chapters on the craft that sustains the families of the City of the Hills.

Aratoca, Santander. The town settles along the hillside, between the ridge of the mountain and the descent into the canyon. This broken geography shapes both daily life in the municipality and the way fique is sown and harvested.
The territoryAratoca, Santander. The town settles along the hillside, between the ridge of the mountain and the descent into the canyon. This broken geography shapes both daily life in the municipality and the way fique is sown and harvested.

Trenzando Saberes

History, transformation and future of fique in Santander

Municipal Government of Aratoca

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The chapters

The work is organised in three parts: from the pre-Hispanic roots of the craft, to the process that turns the penca into thread, and on to the future of fique as a design material.

The six phases of the process

The path from the cut penca to the finished thread comprises six clearly distinct phases. Each has its own timings, tools and quality criteria.

  1. Harvest

  2. Extraction, or defibring

  3. Washing and drying

  4. Escarmenado and combing

  5. Spinning

  6. Finishing

Read the full chapter

Frequently asked questions

What is "Trenzando Saberes"?

It is an educational and cultural guide published by the Municipal Government of Aratoca, Santander, under the 2026 Productive Projects Call. Across seven chapters it gathers the history of fique, its artisanal transformation process, and the path towards a circular bioeconomy in the municipality.

Where can I read it?

Right here. You can open the complete book or go straight to any of the seven chapters from this page. No sign-up and no download required.

Does it cost anything?

Nothing at all. The work is freely accessible: it is an institutional publication of the Municipal Government of Aratoca, intended to safeguard the craft and share the knowledge behind it.

Can I download it as a PDF?

Yes, once the print edition is finalised. The book is still being edited; as soon as the definitive version is ready, the download button will appear on this page.

Who made it?

The Municipal Government of Aratoca, through its Department of Social Development and Productive Projects, together with the artisans of the Aratoca en Hilos workshop, who contributed the technique, the memory and the voices that run through the book.

How do I join the in-person workshop?

The workshop runs by open call in Aratoca and is aimed at artisans and young people from the municipality. Write to us from the contact page and we will let you know when the next cohort opens.

Would you like to join the workshop?

Get in touch and we will tell you how to take part in the next call for the Fique Crafts Workshop.

Get in touch