Chinchero: Land of Great Weavers

Chinchero produces extraordinary textiles, woven with ancestral tools with Incan designs and natural colors.

May 11, 2010 | Art, Cusco Guide, Traditions

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An Andean Tradition: Knitting with Alpaca

Kate Robertson shares her experiences in the Andean region of Ancash and the story of an Alpaca knitting project she helped get off the ground.

March 1, 2010 | Ancash & Huaraz Guide

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Unlocking the secrets of the Quipus

Gary Urton. The investigator from Harvard University reveals the latest results of his investigations of the meaning of the quipu.

As I explained in this previous post, the quipu (or khipu) is a fascinating communication device used in the pre-Columbian world for everything from accounting and record keeping to, it is believed, recording detailed text… names, words, a full written language not in symbols but in lengths of string and knots tied at points along them.

June 30, 2009 | Archaeology, Commentary/Opinion, News

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Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos

Living on the altiplano – the Andean plateau – are the South American camelids. Llamas and Alpacas found themselves domesticated by humans and have lived this way for as much as 6000 years. Guanacos and Vicuñas on the other hand still exist in the wild and are heavily protected by law. They are all somehow able to thrive on the tough vegetation and harsh extremes in temperatures that we find at these altitudes.

April 21, 2008 | Modern Peru

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The Royal Inca Weavers of Huamachuco

In Huamachuco, descendants of royal weavers produce beautiful, world-renowned belts and blankets.

In 1977 the only way into Tulpo, Mollepata, and Mollebamba, towns located within the boundaries of the ancient hacienda of Tulpo, was on foot or by horse. I recognized that something had happened that set these people and their blankets apart from others in Peru. The textiles around Tulpo, Mollepata, and Mollebamba were just far too different and beautiful to think otherwise. More than twenty-five years later I was to learn why.

April 12, 2007 | Art, Modern Peru

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Huancayo

The small industrial town of Huancayo sits in a fertile valley just over the cordillera from Lima.
The plaza is, as ever, full of life. People can bee seen sitting on benches and taking walks while children are chasing pigeons. On one side of the plaza is the old cathedral, opposite is a large indoor market.

April 27, 2006 | Junin & Selva Central Guide

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Art in Peru

Dexterous Peruvian artisans hands convert paint, stone, wood, clay and more into unique pieces of highly valued art that are the result of generations of inherited learning. The Peruvian artisans lives and cultures are as varied and colourful as the works they create. Learn more of the marvellous popular art of all of Peru’s regions in this article adapted and translated from LAN Tours.

April 9, 2006 | Art

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