we are currently developing a 'revitalising weaving traditions project' which began in November 2007 and will run through to November 2008.

8 month weaving workshop objectives

This project began with an email from the Hussan family of the USA...

" First, we wanted to say how much we enjoyed the time in Peru, the arrangements you made for us, and the guidance provided by both Felix and Herbert. Each day was more amazing than the last. We came away with a great admiration for Peru, its cultures past and present, and its artistic and courageous people. So, many thanks for all you did to make it happen!

Second, a proposal that is connected to all those impressions. We would like to find a more sustained way to support the work of the weavers, like those we met on the Lares Valley trek and have been talking about ways to do do that.

The main point would be to increase somewhat the recompense for the women doing such beautiful work in such hard conditions. My thought would be to focus on just the few villages around Lares, so perhaps there might be a cumulative effect of a little more money coming into them."

In the words of the NGO RUFADA Rural Family Development Association of the Sacred Valley :

"With respect to the initiative of maintaining community traditions, we are supporting the Association Ayni (Ayni means community work in Quechua) with their initiative of revitalising the textile traditions and customs. This project was initiated in April 2007 by giving textile workshops, once a month using the products of wool, puska spinning and then dying with natural colours and then woven. They are giving these workshops in the community of Patacancha. the communities that are participating are Rumira Sondormayo, Chaullaocha Palqaq and Concani and in total 30 women (both married and unmarried) are participating. The association Ayni workshops finish in October.

the idea is when these workshops finish, with the five women of Chaullacocha that attended these workshop that we organise these women in Chaullacocha to pass on their knowledge and new learnings to 20 women in Chaullacocha. The idea is to improve and to make more uniform the weaving products of Chaullacocha and generate a market for them"

Between 11 and 16 women have attended four workshops held in the communities of Chaullacocha and Rumira Sondormayo. The workshops have included talks on marketing, fine finishes, quality control, using natural dyes, and spinning fine wool.

for more information contact ariana - apusperu@westnet.com.au

Comparing different styles of weaving.

Participants at Rumira Sondormayo with Senora Augustina, the teacher for the project.

Drying matices that have been dyed with colours from natural plants.

8 month weaving project objectives

Following a very successful trial 'revitalising weaving traditions' project in October 07 through January 08, Apus Peru Adventure Specialists, working with RUFADA (Rural Family Development Association of the Sacred Valley) are pleased to announce they will be running an 8 month project during 2008 in the high Andean communities of Chaullacocha & Rumira Sondormayo.

OBJECTIVES

o To promote "ayni" among the participants through the exchange of know-how and abilities among them.
o To achive a uniform teaching between each one of the participants of the two associations.
o To develop textiles with an adequate texture, symmetry and distribution of colors,
o to develop quality textiles that can compete in Chinchero and Cusco markets
o To generate an alternative income for the women which can then help to improve the quality of life of families.

Note: Ayni is a term that stands for reciprocity. Ayni is an essential element of the Andean approach, you do not receive without giving in return, and when you give you receive in return.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.