Rueca (Spinning wheel)

The history of the use of the spinning wheel in Gipuzkoa is intricately linked to the region’s textile tradition and the role of women in the domestic and rural economy. The spinning wheel, known as “gorua” in Basque, has been a fundamental tool in domestic textile production in Gipuzkoa for centuries. Its use dates to the Middle Ages and continued to be important well into the 20th century.

Women used the spinning wheel to spin wool, linen, and other fibers, thus contributing to the family economy. Spinning was a complementary activity to agricultural and livestock tasks. The use of the spinning wheel was passed down from mother to daughter, and it is a valued skill in Basque rural society. Girls learned to spin from an early age as part of their domestic education. Spinning with a spinning wheel was often a social activity where women gathered to spin and chat. These gatherings, known as “hilanderas” in Spanish or “goruetan” in Basque, were essential spaces for female socialization.

With industrialization and the arrival of textile factories, the use of the spinning wheel began to decline in Gipuzkoa. However, in some rural areas, its use persisted until the mid-20th century as part of the subsistence economy. Although its practical use has disappeared, the spinning wheel remains an important symbol of Basque culture and tradition. Examples of traditional spinning wheels can be found in some ethnographic museums in Gipuzkoa, such as the San Telmo Museum in San Sebastián.