Threads of Peru Blog

Ponchos have truly survived the currents of history, making its original debut as a clothing piece over 2,500 years ago, and still making an appearance in modern fashion. The Poncho has a long history dating back to 500BC worn by a Pre Incan people known as the Paracas. Though nowadays ponchos are worn in the Western world primarily as fashion pieces, ponchos were originally distinguished for their functionality. Their simple yet utilitarian design made them practical for agricultural work as well as for keeping the wearer protected from rain and moisture. Today, alpaca ponchos are reserved for more special occasions such as weddings and festivals.

Inca Poncho

Nevertheless, one can still find an poncho being sported as casual attire, especially on the streets of Cusco. Locals as well as tourists from many corners of the world often wear ponchos made from anything ranging from synthetic polyester wool blends to pure fine spun alpaca. After the sun sets in Cusco, temperatures plummet nearly 40 degrees within hours. Therefore, an alpaca poncho is an essential item to keep well-insulated during frigid Cusco nights. 

 Jose Luis Poncho

In fact, ponchos do such a superb job of keeping the wearer warm that we feel fortunate that we have ample access to ponchos here in Peru. Luckily for those outside of The Land of the Incas, Threads of Peru provides you access with some of the highest quality artisan-made alpaca ponchos. Each alpaca poncho we sell is crafted by a talented artisan from one of the five communities we work with. The Jose Luis, Alejandro and Inca poncho feature neutral colored fibers and is perfect for cold weather climates. Bring a piece of Peru to your home!

With over 2,500 years of history woven from high quality alpaca fiber, the poncho is, and will always remain, a classic piece.

Where can I buy an alpaca poncho like this one?

Check out the alpaca ponchos found in the Threads of Peru store. 

Sources:

http://www.clothestellstories.com/index.php/telling-stories-with-clothes/ponchos

http://www.myperu.org/traditional_clothing_peru.html

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Threads of Peru celebrates ancient weaving traditions in a contemporary context by including them in modern, fashionable items. While this may be innovative in a global sense, the combination of the ancient and the modern is common in Peru. For example, every July the streets of Paucartambo come alive for a few days in a colorful celebration for the Virgen del Carmen. 

Photo by Isaiah Brookshire

She is the patron saint of Paucartambo, a sleepy Andean village where white colonial buildings line the cobblestone streets and church bells ring. This vibrant celebration reflects how Christianity was adopted and molded with pre-Columbian Andean beliefs. The Virgin, known affectionately in Quechua as “Mamacha Carmen,” is not just a Christian figure, but also the Pachamama, or Mother Earth. During the procession of Mamacha Carmen, where a brass band plays soulful tunes and people shower her statue with flower petals, dancers in known as Saq’ras precariously lean from balconies as they represent the devil trying to waylay the virgin. Twelve comparsas, or dance troops, make their way through the streets showing off colorful Incan and colonial costumes. Finally, the event culminates with spectacular fireworks and the dances of the guerreros, or warriors, where good triumphs over the evil demons yet again. La Virgen del Carmen has been declared the patron saint of mestizo peoples and folk dances, and Pope John Paul II blessed the statue in 1985. 

Photo by Isaiah Brookshire

There are several different stories about the origins of the festival, including one about a young woman who found a beautiful talking head, which she brought to the village. As people gathered around her, rays of light shone from the head and it was honored with prayers and a wooden body. Another story claims that a Peruvian count discovered a miraculous rock with the likeness of the Virgin on it. He sent a painter to recreate the image on canvas, and it was then brought to Paucartambo and honored on the feast day. 

Photo by Isaiah Brookshire

Much like the way this celebration reflects the meshing of old cultural practices with modern perspectives, Threads of Peru hopes to keep ancient weaving traditions alive on a global, contemporary scale!

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This month, we are thrilled to announce that we will be featuring indigenous jewelry items by like-minded organization ORG by vio ® in our store!  ORG by vio is a non-profit that works in partnership with indigenous artisans in the Amazon to promote their culture and artistry and providing a sustainable source of income.  Just like Threads of Peru, ORG by vio sells fair trade items with the goal of increasing the livelihood of indigenous artisans.

Designer Violeta Villacorta founded the non-profit and designs collections of handmade jewelry, accessories, and eco fashion items using plant materials native to the Amazon.  She believes that “adornment connects us to something higher … it honors the beauty of the Earth and power of nature.”  We couldn’t agree more!  Here are some of the ORG by vio items we are featuring in our online store:

 

AWAJUN BEA NECKLACE

NANTU BRACELET

ORG by vio joins other non-profits we are already working with to support indigenous Peruvian artisans on the path to economic empowerment and cultural preservation, Awamaki and Q’ente.

Founded in 2009, Awamaki’s mission is to “collaborate with the greater Ollantaytambo community to create economic opportunities and improve social well-being.”  They are committed to empowering “highly skilled Andean women artisans engaged in the market economy, running successful cooperative businesses, and leading their communities out of poverty.”

 

AWAMAKI 100% ALPACA BABY BOBBLE HAT

The Q’ente Textile Revitalization Society is “an incorporated British Columbia not-for-profit society, which works directly with over 100 weavers in the Sacred Valley region of Peru by providing an outlet to sell textiles in North America. The aim of the project is to establish sustainability in the Sacred Valley region through the textile tradition, which is an integral part of the Quechua culture, history, and economy.”

 

Q'ENTE APU BELT

From the handmade textiles of Awamaki to handwoven wool purses of Q’ente, the fair trade jewelry by ORG by vio adds to the variety of our products and showcases talent and culture of Peruvian artists in the Andes and the Amazon.

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