In a similar vein to my previous post, I was on the hunt for some ethical souvenirs when I visited Cusco, Peru, last May.
I found exactly what I was looking for in The Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, a local non-profit organization established to aid in the survival of Incan textile traditions and support local weaving communities.
A group of women weave together in The Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco.
With the rapid change and modernization of the last few decades, it was feared that the techniques and patterns of Cusquenan textiles would be lost in this generation. This prompted the founding of the Centre, which set about to research and document the complex styles, techniques and designs, as well as teach and encourage the younger generation to take up the craft.
An up-close view of the weaving technique and intricate patterns of Cusquenan textiles.
The Centre works with local weaving communities to help them keep their traditional alive as well as create a marketplace to sell their textiles. The activities the weavers are engaged in lead to significant improvements in quality of life, allowing them to provide for themselves and their families. The impact is important as the majority of the weavers are women, and they invest the independent income in their children’s health and education.
Modern means to a traditional end.
There were tons of souvenir shops in Cusco, but I chose to spend my money here knowing that it was going back to local communities, and helping to preserve important Inca culture. And it was clear that the quality of the products was far better than most of what was available elsewhere.
On one of our day trips we visited a textile store that demonstrated how the colours are achieved for traditional textiles. All derived from natural sources, it was amazing the see the range of colours that could be created. Understanding this was one way to distinguish between the authentic and synthetic goods in stores around town.
Taken in Cusco, Peru. May 2019.