Ana Florentina Montejo is like a treasure chest, full of surprises, one in which every drawer reveals a new joy. Talking to her makes it clear that she’s a natural weaver; every word she weaves together forms a tapestry of stories and craftsmanship, where weaving represents the art of patience. Born in Bogotá, she ended up in Chía for love, and in that move, she not only met the father of her children but also discovered a shared heritage: her Muisca ancestors. Twenty-five years ago, Pedro Milciades, aspiring to govern the Muisca indigenous cabildo of Fonquetá, brought her into the fold to help revive the weaving tradition in the region.

Though she had learned some knitting from her mother as a child in Bogotá, it was in Chía that she felt she could truly master the art of weaving. She admits that in her childhood, she wasn’t particularly skilled or fond of weaving; it was actually a struggle to work with wool and strands tangling frustratingly. Many times, she had to start over in order to achieve the correct result. However, every effort in life has its purpose. Much to her surprise, years later, she found herself turning this exercise into a method of work, unraveling stitching mistakes to learn from them and even inventing new designs born from chance. Diligently noting each step in a notebook whenever a thread crossed incorrectly, creating a new pattern, she learned the art of design. She values her journey and setbacks with pride.

Alongside several companions in the community, she also learned macramé, crochet, and embroidery. Each woman had her strengths, making their knowledge-sharing a pleasant exchange rooted in their shared pasts of watching their mothers at home. Initially supporting herself through agriculture, Ana Florentina’s group of artisans eventually secured a significant contract for two-needle fique panels. This became a stable income source for five years until the contract was terminated unexpectedly, leaving them adrift.

Many renounced their dreams about weaving. Despite setbacks, ongoing training sessions provided new opportunities. It was during one of these sessions, with Taller 5, that Ana Florentina discovered her calling: the horizontal loom, which she fell deeply in love with. Captivated by its capabilities, she marveled at how designs unfolded before her eyes in real time. She speaks about surrendering to the loom, happily weaving in silence for hours, until her children arrive at the workshop and just then she realizes it’s 10 pm.

Under the banner of Nemqueteba, named after the Muisca weaving god, her initial cooperative thrived. Years later, she ventured independently, founding Liquira, which means “blanket” or “shawl” in Muisca. Here, she embarked on collaborative projects with fashion designers like Manuela Álvarez, creating cotton fabrics dyed in two-tone gradients that graced the Bogotá Fashion Week runway, receiving well-deserved applause for their beauty. From wielding a hoe to mastering the loom, Ana Florentina knows that preserving traditions is her greatest contribution to the community.