Spinning Week, 2015, She Won Spinning 3,330 Yards
PAZA has said a bittersweet farewell to Huancarani weaver Doña Casimira, who passed away of unknown causes in January. She had an indomitable spirit having outlived 3 husbands and at the age of 69 was living alone and working her farm. Some years ago, her adult children tried to move her to the Chapare, the tropical eastern side of the state of Cochabamba, but her roots pulled her back to the Andes. Late last year they tried again and took her to her daughter´s house in the tropics for a visit from which she would not return.
Happy with Natural Dye Workshop Results, 2011 (on left)
Doña Maxima broke the unexpected news and eulogized Doña Casimira by her skills as a spinner and weaver. They are the last generations who will describe each other in those terms, it is how they´ve identified themselves and related to each other their entire lives. Doña Casimira was one of the 10 founders of the Centro de Artesanía, Huancarani and hung in there during the 2 years it took for PAZA to facilitate the process to be established as a legal entity under the State of Cochabamba.
Spinning Week, 2014 (in middle)
She won Spinning Week 3 years out of 7 and ranked in the top 5 of the spinners the other years. In 2020, she came in second, spinning 4,541 meters which is her 2nd highest results. She was displeased about the Huancarani team taking 2nd place the past 2 years, and quite vocal about preferring a pollera (skirt) to the 2nd place blusa (knitted sleeveless top). The prize awarding ceremony didn´t take place until after she left for the tropics. The blusas were fitted to the recipient, a color of their choosing, and more work than the polleras, so in the end she probably would have been pleased with her prize. However, her remarks were enough to begin dialog about how to better mix up the teams for equitable strengths and weaknesses for Spinning Week 2021.
Laverne Waddington´s Workshop, Huancarani, 2017 (in pink sweater)
Her spinning was fine and consistent which resulted in her weavings being fine. She warped color combinations which were striking and unique. It was obvious she had a love for weaving, but it competed with the daylight hours needed for farm chores, so she was not a prolific weaver. Anyone who has purchased one of her weavings should hold it dear. She was born into a hard life the year before the Agrarian Reform ended the feudal system established by the Spanish crown. Although the world has seen many changes since 1951, that can´t be said for those living the farmer subsistence lifestyle in the remote corners of it. One can’t help but wonder how her talents and creativity would have been realized if she’d been born into different circumstances. Doña Casimira, you will be missed. May your well-deserved rest be in peace. Dorinda Dutcher, February 27, 2021
Often used photos of Doña Casimira weaving in front of her home, 2010
PAZA 
So sorry to hear that sad news, Dorinda.
Judy Richardson http://www.judyrichardsonsculpture.com Instagram@judystudio
From: PAZA Reply-To: PAZA Date: Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 7:06 PM To: Judy Richardson Subject: [New post] In Memory of Doña Casimira
Dorinda Dutcher posted: ” PAZA has said a bittersweet farewell to Huancarani weaver Doña Casimira, who passed away of unknown causes in January. She had an indomitable spirit having outlived 3 husbands and at the age of 69 was living alone and working her farm. Some years ago,”
Such a beautiful statement about a weaver, a woman, and a time passing. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for this beautiful homage to DOÑA CASIMIRA. I didn’t realize that she was so involved in Spinzilla. Where can I donate to help her family with funeral expense? Irene
Unfortunately she was buried in the Chapare instead of Huancarani where the Todos Santos rituals over the course of 3 years would have been observed by her community. I’ve no connection with her family in the Chapare. Thank you for the offer Irene.