Discover Capdepera and Artà: Lands of Llatra
Llatra, garballó, pauma, or llata—four popular names for the raw material used to craft a wide range of items in the towns of Artà and Capdepera in Mallorca, Spain. From hats, baskets, bags, to carpets and kitchen utensils.
The humble palmito, as it's known in Spanish, holds an ancient tradition and is an artisanal craft that has thrived through the centuries, thanks to the skilled hands of women in these villages who skillfully weave long strips of this material into various designs.
The Tradition of Llatra
Capdepera and Artà, located at the easternmost tip of Mallorca, are the exclusive regions where the garballó palm tree, native to the Balearic Islands, thrives in its mountains. From these palm trees, brins or strips are extracted to weave a wide array of items, including baskets, brooms, carpets, and, in the past, tools for agriculture, fishing, and livestock.
In July, the leaves of this palm tree, which is only found in this area of Mallorca's Levant region, need to be harvested. It's crucial to uproot the leaves completely to allow the plant to recover more easily.
Once this raw material is obtained, it must be dried for at least 21 days, with weekly flipping. Subsequently, they undergo a sulfurization process to give them their distinctive white color and the necessary flexibility for crafting.
Once the palms are ready, they must be separated with a small knife to create brins or strips, ensuring the resulting weaving is consistent. These strips need to be moistened to be woven into llatra, from which a variety of utensils, decorations, and accessories are crafted.
The "Dones de Llatra" (Women of Llatra)
During the winter evenings, the skilled hands of the women of Capdepera and Artà, known as the Dones de Llatra or "Women of Llatra," would gather in groups, often forming circles, to weave the palmito. This provided them with extra income for their households.
Not too long ago, fifteen meters of llatra were sold for seven pesetas, a significant contribution to the modest household economies of that time.
Today, many women still gather to preserve the tradition of this artisanal craft, determined not to let it fade away. Visitors often watch in awe as their nimble fingers, accustomed to working with the sharp palm leaves, tirelessly move to create the precious strips that will become either a hat or a vintage basket.
On many occasions, designers visit them to seek their expertise and craftsmanship to showcase their creations on fashion runways, in small yet meticulously produced collections.
Where to Buy Llatra Products
Various items made from palmito can be found in any weekly market in Mallorca. Not only are they available in esparto shops and shoe stores, but artisanal shops have also embraced one of the island's most iconic products.
Llatra has become so significant that it even has its own museum, located in the medieval castle of Capdepera. Here, visitors can learn about the entire production process, from leaf harvesting to drying, bleaching, strip weaving, and the crafting of pieces.
