Weavers

The majestic Andean condors are behind us (literally) and now we’re keeping company the Santuario Cochahausi alpacas, 

parrots, 

  

and ahead of us are the weavers.  

  

When we visited the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, (Santuario Animal de Cochahuasi) we saw condors, alpacas, and parrots.  Moments after I photographed the condors, I took pictures of women from the Purikuq cooperative weavers, comprising artisans from three local communities. 

  

Weaving has long been a central part of life in Peru. Weaving cooperatives provide employment, supplemental income, and offer the chance for the artisans to create works representing their history and culture. 

  

The weavers use traditional backstrap looms—the oldest known loom in the world—made of wood, rope, and a strap that the wraps around the waist. Because it's so easy to carry, the weaver can set up anywhere. 

You can see the strap around the weaver's waist.

The loom's portability helps a woman manage the demands of motherhood while she creates her work. This weaver had her child with her.

Watching the detail of the artisan's work was hypnotic: I'm not sure how long I observed her but I know I have several close up photos of this woman's hands at work.

A note on the Purikuq weavers and this post:  When I write about a trip I took a while ago (this trip was some years back), I verify my information and update or add appropriate notes. 

  

The current sanctuary web site, http://www.santuariocochahuasi.com/about-us.html, has no reference to weavers. Santuario Cochahausi continues to protect and breed the Andean condor as well as pumas, parrots, llamas, alpacas, and vicunas (another relative of the alpaca). There are no references to weavers. The sanctuary seems to have expanded the animals it protects and narrowed its focus to animals. 

  

There are still many cooperatives supporting the employment and cultural work of the weavers. You can find  more information at these sites: https://threadsofperu.com/pages/meet-the-weavers-peru and https://planeterra.org/what-we-do/our-projects/womens-weaving-workshop/ .

One last alpaca before we make our way to Pisac and Ollantaytumbo. The baby was just too cute not to share.

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