Cusco Textiles - A Guide to Textiles from the Cusco Region of Peru
The production of textiles is alive and well in the Andes and continues to be an extremely important source of income for many mountain communities. Numerous weaving cooperatives exist and exhibitions of native textiles can be found throughout Cusco and in nearby markets such as Pisac and Chinchero.
The weavers practice skills that have been passed down from generation to generation. The designs, colours and quality of the textiles vary from one region to another and play and important part in defining personal and community identity. Many of the symbols portrayed on the weavings are visual metaphors representing the relationship that the Quechua people have with the physical and spiritual world around them.
This website isn't aimed at stopping you from buying these cheaper factory imports but more about helping to educate the visitor to Peru to the amount of work, skill and care that goes into producing the genuine article. Not only is each Andean textile a unique and beautifully made item but buying such a textile directly from the community contributes to the local economy and self-esteem of the Quechua people as well as helping to preserve a tradition and culture that has continued largely unchanged for many hundreds of years.
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Cusco Textiles - A Guide to Weavings and Textiles in the Cusco Region of Peru
Introduction to Textiles in Peru / Responsible Tourism / Traditional Clothing / Textile Examples / Llamas & Alpacas / Spinning the Wool / Natural Dyes / Types of Loom / Weaving Techniques / Textile Symbols / Textile Cooperatives & Communities / Textile & Weaving Rituals / Festivals & Dance / A Guide to Buying Weavings & Textiles in Peru
© Mike Weston 2007. Material & Photos in this website cannot be used without written consent from the copyright holder.
Website sponsored by Peru Treks, Inca Trail specialists. Website designed by Andean Vision
Keywords: Textiles, Weavings, Textiles in Cusco, Textiles in Peru, Weaving Communities, Andean Textiles, Llamas, Alpacas, Textile Design, Iconographia, Textile Symbols, Shops, Andes, Weaving Cooperatives, Natural dyes, Quechua Traditional Clothing, Quechua, Ponchos, Chullos, Ancestral Designs, Indigenous Art, Cuzco,