communities

For centuries, the indigenous communities (allyus) of the Peruvian Andes have built homes, furniture, clothing, blankets and tools using what nature offered them. Many of these same ancient techniques and designs are still practiced today by the local inhabitants, who continue to speak Quechua their native languages. The conflict between modernisation and maintaining tradition causes many problems.

 “In the Andes we depend mainly on farming to provide food for our families, but it brings little income. Like those who came before us, we still honor the earth and continue practices adapted to difficult conditions of high altitude, steep slopes and unpredictable weather. But we can no longer depend on the agricultural systems of land planning and food store-housing put in place by our Inca ancestors to assure that everyone received enough to eat in bad years. Those systems were destroyed during colonial times. Families today must find ways to supplement their income to meet their daily needs.” Nilda Callañaupa, Project Coordinator, Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco

‘Associacion de Tejedoras Valle Ausangate’ 170 women from 8 villages in the remote Ausangate Valley who meet twice a week to dye wool, compare and learn new techniques and pass on finished pieces.
‘Munay Pallay’ a small self governed group of skilled weavers from Chinchero, with whom we have co-designed a range of bags.
‘Qqenti’ A group of bordadoras (embroiderers) sewing complex designs typical of the Colca Canyon (in the Arequipa region) on unbleached cotton.