Back to Chinchero

Although Colleen, Kitzen and I had visited Chinchero a few days earlier, we were excited to go again as the first part of “crafts day,” accompanied by our guides Elvira and Hugo. It was another gorgeous, hot day, and I got some good tips from Efraín on shooting in harsh sunlight.

After exploring the plaza market and the ruins, we  drove on to the weaving center, where we received an extravagant welcome from a half dozen engaging women in traditional dress singing their weaving songs. They were decked out in marvelous woolen hats adorned with flowers, intricately embroidered blouses and vests, and the ubiquitous striped mantas Andean women use to carry their children, their handicrafts and their groceries.

The ladies gave us a detailed demonstration of the weaving process, from washing the wool (sheep and alpaca) with salt soap; to creating dyes from vegetables, plants, insects and even children’s urine; to boiling and dying the wool. Later, gathered in a semi-circle in the courtyard, looms between their legs, they deftly plied the colorful yarns, singing all the while. Two rambunctious toddlers raced around the courtyard tossing balls of yarn and taunting each other.

They were extraordinarily gracious, anxious to share, and more than tolerant of our picture-taking. Even the llama, Pancho, cooperated!