Esparto Grass Basketry with Sonia
Discover the art of esparto grass weaving with master weaver Sonia in Mijas, one of Andalusia’s most picturesque villages. Forage for wild esparto in the nearby mountains, then learn to prepare and transform it into your own handcrafted objects or sculptures—rooted in tradition and inspired by the surrounding landscape and culture.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1410
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $780
Meet the Artist
Sonia is an archaeologist and master basket weaver devoted to preserving and reimagining the ancient craft of esparto weaving. Originally from the Basque Country (Spain), but raised between Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, she carries the imprint of North Africa’s rich craft traditions into her work, now rooted in the Andalusian hills of southern Spain. Her path led her to earn a doctorate in Prehistory and Archaeology, where she first encountered esparto grass—an enduring Mediterranean plant used since Neolithic times.
Sonia trained under Francisco Tamayo Moreno, the last traditional esparto master in Mijas, immersing herself in its meticulous techniques. Today, she brings a fresh sensibility to this heritage craft, combining pleita braids, recincho ropework, and plant-based dyes like turmeric, spirulina, and palo campeche. Her work—shaped entirely by hand and deeply in sync with the seasons—blurs the lines between function and sculpture, yielding baskets, organic forms, and even handmade paper.
Sonia’s process is rooted in sustainability, patience, and reverence for the land. She forages wild esparto, soaks and softens it, then dries, beats, rakes, and weaves it with other natural materials. Inspired by Andalusian landscapes, regional textiles, and traditional ceramics, her creations are both grounded and surprising—sometimes taking the form of whimsical animal heads.
From her sunlit studio in the whitewashed village of Mijas, with sea and mountain views, Sonia invites guests to step into a living tradition—hiking to gather fiber, cooking traditional meals, and experiencing esparto weaving as a powerful connection to place, craft, and self.
Sonia trained under Francisco Tamayo Moreno, the last traditional esparto master in Mijas, immersing herself in its meticulous techniques. Today, she brings a fresh sensibility to this heritage craft, combining pleita braids, recincho ropework, and plant-based dyes like turmeric, spirulina, and palo campeche. Her work—shaped entirely by hand and deeply in sync with the seasons—blurs the lines between function and sculpture, yielding baskets, organic forms, and even handmade paper.
Sonia’s process is rooted in sustainability, patience, and reverence for the land. She forages wild esparto, soaks and softens it, then dries, beats, rakes, and weaves it with other natural materials. Inspired by Andalusian landscapes, regional textiles, and traditional ceramics, her creations are both grounded and surprising—sometimes taking the form of whimsical animal heads.
From her sunlit studio in the whitewashed village of Mijas, with sea and mountain views, Sonia invites guests to step into a living tradition—hiking to gather fiber, cooking traditional meals, and experiencing esparto weaving as a powerful connection to place, craft, and self.
VAWAA Includes:
- Learn the fundamentals of esparto grass weaving.
- Hike into the mountains to collect wild esparto grass, then prepare the fiber by soaking, softening, and treating it for use.
- Explore essential techniques such as basket sewing, combed plaiting, and esparto paper-making, gaining a working knowledge of key methods and complete a handmade piece of your own.
- Engage in conversations about the historical and archaeological roots of esparto weaving and its evolution in Andalusia.
- Visit the Ethnographic Museum of Mijas, set in a traditional Andalusian house, to learn about the region’s historic trades and the village’s past.
- Enjoy a guided walk through Mijas to discover Sonia’s favorite corners—including a viewpoint where, on clear days, you can see the coasts of Morocco and Gibraltar.
- Weather permitting, opt to book a horseback ride through the scenic Mijas countryside.
- Option to visit the Buddhist Stupa in the neighboring village of Benalmádena, to meditate with spectacular sea views.
Explore Mijas, Málaga
Mijas, Málaga is a picturesque Andalusian town just 25 minutes from the cultural and culinary offerings of Málaga city. Nestled between the Sierra de Mijas mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, its natural beauty is matched by a rich history dating back to Phoenician times.
The historic Mijas Pueblo, perched in the hills, is known for its whitewashed houses, flower-filled balconies, and sweeping views. It’s steeped in Andalusian culture, with small family-run restaurants, artisan workshops, and a strong tradition of crafts like ceramics and esparto weaving. The wild esparto grass Sonia works with grows naturally throughout the area. Once used for generations in everyday tools, it nearly disappeared with the arrival of plastic. Today, it represents both a return to heritage and a sustainable path forward.
Mijas is where natural beauty, ancestral craft, and a slower pace of life converge—ideal for artistic inspiration, reflection, and immersion in traditional Spanish culture.
The historic Mijas Pueblo, perched in the hills, is known for its whitewashed houses, flower-filled balconies, and sweeping views. It’s steeped in Andalusian culture, with small family-run restaurants, artisan workshops, and a strong tradition of crafts like ceramics and esparto weaving. The wild esparto grass Sonia works with grows naturally throughout the area. Once used for generations in everyday tools, it nearly disappeared with the arrival of plastic. Today, it represents both a return to heritage and a sustainable path forward.
Mijas is where natural beauty, ancestral craft, and a slower pace of life converge—ideal for artistic inspiration, reflection, and immersion in traditional Spanish culture.
Additional Details
Mijas is a beautiful place to visit year-round. To avoid crowds and heat, it’s best to skip Holy Week (late April), peak summer (July–August), and the week of local festivals (September 4–12). Summers are warm but more temperate than inland Andalusia, thanks to the coastal breeze.
This session can be extended for up to 7 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Children 14 and older accompanied by a guardian, as well as guests with accessibility needs and wheelchair users, are welcome to participate. Sonia’s street has a wheelchair ramp, but her studio is accessible by four steps. For those with limited mobility, the session can be adapted to exclude the mountain excursion to gather esparto grass.
This craft can be adapted to many ages, but the use of esparto-specific needles and braiding techniques requires psychomotor skills that children under 10 may not yet have. Adaptations for younger children may be possible upon request—please include a note with your booking.
Sonia speaks native Spanish and French, English, and some Italian.
This session can be extended for up to 7 days. Please add a note in your booking request.
Children 14 and older accompanied by a guardian, as well as guests with accessibility needs and wheelchair users, are welcome to participate. Sonia’s street has a wheelchair ramp, but her studio is accessible by four steps. For those with limited mobility, the session can be adapted to exclude the mountain excursion to gather esparto grass.
This craft can be adapted to many ages, but the use of esparto-specific needles and braiding techniques requires psychomotor skills that children under 10 may not yet have. Adaptations for younger children may be possible upon request—please include a note with your booking.
Sonia speaks native Spanish and French, English, and some Italian.