Yataity facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yataity
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 Yataity
Location in Paraguay
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| Country | Paraguay |
| Department | Guairá |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Founded by | Bartolomé de Oviedo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 111 km2 (43 sq mi) |
| Population
(2008)
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| • Total | 4,138 |
| • Density | 37/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| Postal code |
5140
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| Area code(s) | (595) (549) |
Yataity is a small and peaceful district in the Guairá Department of Paraguay. It is located about 164 kilometers (102 miles) east of Asunción, the capital city. Yataity is famous for something very special: it is known as the capital of the ao po'i fabric.
Contents
What is Ao Po'i?
Yataity is well-known for its amazing craftsmanship, especially the ao po'i. This is a beautiful, fine cloth made from 100% cotton. You can see ao po'i used to make shirts, dresses, blouses, and even bed sheets!
Hundreds of skilled artisans in Yataity create these wonderful items. Every November, they get ready for the "Typical Vestments Market" in the central town square. This is a big event where they show off their creative designs.
The annual ao po'i expo is a great chance for these artists to display their work. Their pieces are known for their fine details and high quality. It's estimated that about 2,200 people in Yataity work on making ao po'i. This makes it a very important job for many families.
Most of the best ao po'i makers are from Yataity. They have learned to mix old traditions with new ideas. This helps them create shirts and other clothes that are good enough to be sold all over the world.
The ao po'i fabric is made by hand. It first appeared in the 18th century. At that time, there was a trade ban by Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. This meant women had to make clothes by hand from cotton. People in Yataity are very proud of their ao po'i. They say that while ao po'i is made in other places, the best quality comes from their town.
Where Does the Name Yataity Come From?
The name "Yataity" comes from the Guaraní language. It means "the place where yata'i grows." A yata'i is a type of palm tree.
A Look at Yataity's History
Yataity was founded by Captain Bartolomé Oviedo. He bought the land in 1809.
Besides making ao po'i, the people of Yataity also raise cows. They grow sugar-cane and work with wood. Yataity is still a quiet place. It keeps many traditional Paraguayan customs alive. More than half of the people here make clothes using old-fashioned looms and their skillful hands.
Yataity's Location and Rivers
Yataity covers an area of 111 square kilometers (about 43 square miles). It has a population of 4,138 people. This means there are about 37 people living in each square kilometer.
Yataity's Neighbors
- To the North: The Caaguazú Department.
- To the South: The city of Villarrica.
- To the West: The Félix Pérez Cardozo district.
- To the East: The Doctor Botrell and Mbocayaty districts.
Rivers and Streams
The Tebicuary-mí river flows through this district. There are also smaller streams like:
- Mitay
- Doña Gervasia
Who Lives in Yataity?
Here are some facts about the people living in Yataity:
- About 31.1% of the population is under 15 years old.
- On average, women have about 2.7 children.
- About 7.6% of the people cannot read or write.
Most people work in different areas:
- 22.9% work in farming (primary sector).
- 53.3% work in making things like ao po'i (secondary sector).
- 22.7% work in services (tertiary sector).
Also:
- About 22.8% of people work in farming.
- 95.0% of houses have electricity.
- 36.8% of houses have water service.
How Yataity Makes Money
The main way Yataity makes money is through making ao po'i clothes. About 50% of all the people in the district work on this. Almost everyone in Yataity is connected to an ao po'i artisan, even if they don't make it themselves.
Most families rely on the work of these artisans. Only about 10% of people have other jobs, like farming or raising animals.
Getting Around Yataity
Yataity feels like a place where time has slowed down. You can still see old, large houses and quiet streets. It's common to see horse-drawn carts and people riding horses.
The roads inside the district are made of dirt. This makes it easy to travel between different parts of the district.
Yataity has telephone services and mobile phone networks. People can also read newspapers from the capital city.
Transportation Options
The district has modern buses that can take people to the capital city and other departments. For shorter trips within the district, there are smaller buses. As mentioned, you can also see horse-drawn carts and people riding horses.
How to Visit Yataity
To get to Yataity from Asunción, you can follow Route 2 "Mariscal José Félix Estigarribia" to Coronel Oviedo. Then, take Route 8 "Doctor Blas Garay" until you reach Villarrica. You will see a sign on the road that points to an asphalt road leading to Yataity.
Fun Things to Do in Yataity
The Ao Po'i Market is one of the most exciting events in Yataity. Artisans also have permanent markets where you can buy their beautiful crafts.
Yataity has an old-fashioned charm with its colonial look and ancient houses. Its tree-lined streets, pretty squares, amazing crafts, and friendly people make it a great place to visit. It's perfect for anyone who wants to experience traditional Paraguayan culture.
Yataity's Big Celebration
Every year on October 7, Yataity celebrates its patron saint, the Virgin of Rosario.
The celebration starts with a special prayer time called a novena at the church. There are also bullfights, craft sales, a colorful amusement park, and games.
On the evening of October 6, there's a big party with live music. The next day, a special Mass is held with the district's Priest. After the Mass, there's a procession where the image of the Virgin is carried through the streets. Later, people enjoy more games, horse riding, and a barbecue. The day ends with more bullfights in the afternoon.
See also
In Spanish: Yataity del Guairá para niños
