Peruvian Manta Altar Textile Cloths are large ceremonial fabrics used for altars, rituals, and meditation. These expansive textiles, known as Mantas or Altar Cloths, are integral to spiritual practice, often serving multiple purposes. Larger than mesa cloths, they are sometimes referred to as altar pieces or even as the altar itself. These cloths help create sacred spaces, being used to cover ritual altars during ceremonies or as a base for prayer bundles. Additionally, they can be utilized as a seat for meditation or personal rituals, embodying both function and symbolic meaning within the spiritual traditions of the Q’ero people.
This beautifully handcrafted Manta or Mantra cloth is a versatile textile used in various spiritual and ceremonial practices. Known as an altar cloth, mesa cloth, or simply a manta, it serves as a centerpiece for sacred rituals, altars, and meditation spaces. These expansive textiles are larger than typical mesa cloths and sometimes referred to as the altar itself. In some traditions, the term "table" describes the altar that these cloths adorn. Woven by the indigenous Q’ero people of Peru, descendants of the ancient Incas, these altar cloths carry deep spiritual significance.
The Q’ero medicine people, known as Paqos, preserve their ancient healing knowledge and beliefs through these intricate weavings. The patterns depict stories of their land, family, and the sacred energies of the sun, water, and stars, reflecting the essence of Ayni, their philosophy of reciprocity and harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth).
These textiles are used to create sacred spaces, set altars for ceremonies, or even serve as comfortable meditation seats. Crafted with fine wool and dyed naturally using eco-friendly methods, each manta or mesa cloth carries the energy of the Andean people. They are not just tools for ritual use but also stunning decorative pieces that tell a story of balance, reverence, and connection to the Earth.
The definition of an Altar Cloth is simple but some times misleading. It is a sacred cloth of any size for any use. A Mestana or Mesa means the planes. The Altar, is Sacred; the very meaning is that it is respected as sacred and known to many as sacred. So a Manta Cloth is an Altar cloth. Locals sometimes reference these cloths as table cloths, not as in a table cloth but the table of your altar, your sacredness. The meanings woven into the cloths generally depict, family, area, stature, and energy such as water, the sun, or a particular power like the sun or the stars, or it's vibrancy or calmness.
By weaving these beautiful and meaningful stories, these medicine men and women are preserving and sharing their healing knowledge, beliefs and traditions. Their main philosophy is “Ayni”, which means reciprocity and include balance and harmony with the Earth and with each other.
What is a despacho cloth?
A larger style despacho cloth is a Q'ero ritual prayer comprising herbs, natural flowers, and symbolic food items. This prayer bundle is wrapped in tissue or wrapping paper.
After a ceremony, an approiatley sized cloth, often an Unkuna cloth (around 30-45cm) or an altar cloth such as these are sized up to 1.2m wide, are used to wrap and hold the despacho for cleansing someone's energy field.
In comparison, a mesa cloth is larger (60-75cm), and a manta or altar cloth is even larger, starting from 1 meter upwards. The choice of size and style depends on personal preference and use.
