Group
E
Date
c. 1970
Origin
Lizarra
Brand
-
Source
(DFG) Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
License
Copyleft
Esparto grass
Esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the grass family that grows in arid areas and had to be imported to rainy Gipuzkoa. In Gipuzkoa, esparto grass, along with jute, hemp, and textile products, was used to manufacture espadrilles.
As with other farm tasks, working with esparto grass was a family activity in which women played a key role. Women were involved, for example, in spinning this material. It is likely that they also participated in the initial phases of working with esparto grass, such as harvesting, drying, and pounding. Likewise, women played a critical role in learning and passing on knowledge. Working with esparto grass was part of the informal or black economy activities in which women actively participated, even though their work was not officially recognized.