The Genuine Papa Blanket Association

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Guarda > Maçainhas > Maçainhas de Cima

Location

Maçainhas is a serene locality, integrated into the municipality of Guarda, in a region marked by the landscape of Beira Interior. The 'Associação O genuíno cobertor de papa' is located in this environment, in an area that, over the centuries, has been inseparable from pastoralism and the wool cycles. The space that houses the association, an old factory, is an integral part of the historical and cultural fabric of Maçainhas itself.

A Centenary Textile Legacy

The history of the Cobertor de Papa, a traditional blanket from Serra da Estrela, has deep roots in Portuguese culture, dating back to initiatives by the Marquês de Pombal in the 18th century. This project boosted textile production in the region, making the Cobertor de Papa an element of great importance. In ancient times, it was an essential piece for shepherds, due to its robustness and ability to protect from cold and humidity, and was also part of brides' trousseaux, symbolizing durability and tradition. The 'Associação O genuíno cobertor de papa' is dedicated to keeping this knowledge alive, presenting itself as the only place where this remarkable blanket is still authentically and artisanally produced, perpetuating its memory and its value.

The Essence of the Cobertor de Papa

What makes the Cobertor de Papa truly unique is its manual confection, which exclusively uses churra wool, from indigenous Portuguese sheep breeds, such as the churra mondegueira. This artisanal process gives the blanket its distinct characteristics: a long, soft pile, a weight and density that guarantee warmth and impermeability, and a peculiar smell. The name "de Papa" comes from one of the crucial stages of its production, where the blanket is "empapado" (soaked) in water in the pisão (fulling mill), an ancestral instrument that makes it more substantial and resistant. This is followed by the phase where it gains its characteristic pile on the percha (teasel frame), and finally, open-air drying on the râmbolas de sol (drying racks). Although white wool tones predominate, it is possible to find examples with varied stripes and patterns, reflecting the creativity and tradition of the weavers.

The Preservation of Unique Knowledge

Founded in 2018, the 'Associação O genuíno cobertor de papa' was born from the desire to safeguard an art that was at risk of disappearing. In an increasingly industrialized world, the passion and commitment of a small group of weavers, some with a lifetime dedicated to this craft, are fundamental for the continuity of this tradition. The work developed in the association is a living testament to the resilience and dedication in preserving an intangible cultural heritage. Here, knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, keeping alive the flame of a weaving process that requires strength, precision, and a deep understanding of the raw material and the machines, many of them centuries old. The association is, thus, a point of reference for understanding the importance of maintaining traditional arts and the value of manual labor.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt