The pita or ixtle is a natural fiber that comes from a variable of maguey (Aechmea magdalenae) grown in tropical forests that link
the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco, Guerrero and Chiapas, in Mexico, on sites previously chosen for their moisture and climate,
and the shade of noble trees of over 30 meters tall, sometimes between the shade of coffee, the agave plant, which belongs to the
family of agave (Agave Americana), requires up to eight years of careful cultivation to reach maturity accurate to be processed. It
is also found in the wild in areas of high forest in wet weather. Sometimes it takes place in areas near water bodies such as streams,
rivers or wetlands. Its shape resembles that of the Mexican American agave, it was also appointed as Maguey of pita. It can reach
up to 1.7 to 2.5 meters. This tough plant fiber that is used for centuries to make hammocks and miscellaneous items. Have found pieces
of more than one hundred years old, which still retain their original strength. In many respects this fiber has very specific characteristics,
both because of its size, brightness and smoothness; it also incorporates the quality of endurance. These characteristics make it
a fiber material that can be compared in strength to silk.
This characteristic of resistance increased up to 40% in comparison with
other natural fibers used allowed the indigenous to use this kind of natural fiber (Ixtle) in the manufacture of fishing rope, mooring
for arrowheads, and the development of footwear, including producing ceremonial objects.
The “Cloak” where the image is saved miraculously
of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico is made of a fiber of maguey that some new scientific studies show miraculous events. Another
feature distinctive raised in several studies in addition to its resistance, is the white pearl color in its natural state.
WHERE IT IS OBTAINED AND WHAT IS "PITA" (cactus thread)?
Now as hundreds of years ago, the fiber is extracted from the plant to break off by hand and with rustic tools, according to a process that has not changed with the passage of time take away the waste to the long rubber sheets maguey that scrape or manually with small machines designed to get home ixtle fiber is then washed several times with some portion of salt and lemon to give it a glossy white finish like pearl appearance of putting the sun to dry, once reaches the whiteness and brightness that are required between each of the fibers of the original herd to produce the thin strands of two or more threads.
The process of twisting the cactus fiber (ixtle) consume time and tests the patience, it is surrounded by alternating turns from right to left on a piece of leather tied around the leg by small wires twisted around 80 cms. Long helped with saliva or a damp cloth and cleaning as progress in fiber surrounded by pigs to maintain the appearance of the white pearl fiber and to join several of these threads and twists that in dozens are called “dolls” and are ready for sale to leather shopper’s artisans.
HOW IS PROCESSED THE CACTUS THREAD FIBER (IXTLE) TO BE READY FOR SALE TO THE LEATHER SHOPPER'S ARTISANS?
Mex:01152+(229) 938-7712, (229) 260-9914, (229 ) 934-1819
U.S.A. 001+ (954) 465-9480, (954) 394-9416, (714) 447-1242
Cuauhtémoc # 116 Col. Rigo Boca del Rio, Veracruz 91920 Mexico: (229) 938-7712, (229) 260-9914, (922) 934-1819
3020 Oak St. Hollywood Fl. 33021 U.S.A (954) 465-9480, (954) 394-9416, (714) 447-1242
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A number of bromeliads have been exploited for their leaf fibres. Some of these (e.g., Aechmea magdalenae, Bromelia pinguin, and Neoglaziovia
variegata) some places continue to be useful for cordage fibres or for fishnet construction is found with to many names on some local
American markets transformed in any product.
North America:
Obregon Foundation is pita planting in Sarasota Fl. and in Interlachen
Fl. in experimental process
Central Mexico: Mexico - Oaxaca, Veracruz, Chiapas
Cemtral America:
Mesoamerica: Belize; Costa Rica used
by the Guaymi Indians from Southern Costa Rica; El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Mexico in all the sates from the central region
thru the south border; Nicaragua; Panama
Northern South America: Venezuela
Western South America: Colombia & Ecuador
To most of
the habitants on central and South America pita means all kind of fiber obtained from any cactus plant.
Pita is a wheat bread made with yeast, popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Pita is also a class of foods in Greek cuisine: tyro pita, spanakopita, etc.
Pita may also refer to: People, Town, Plants and abbreviations