Tradition is the Democracy of the Dead

Out with the old and in with the new?

For some, maybe. But at Threads of Peru, we are not trying to obliterate the old. Rather, we honor the idea that “tradition is the democracy of the dead.” It is through tradition that our ancestors continue to have a say in how the future of society unfolds. 

By incorporating the wisdom of the ancients into the present, we honor the life experiences, skills, and art of those who came before us.

At Threads of Peru, we value and respect the Quechua weaving tradition immensely. This tradition, which started centuries ago, was passed down through many generations, and has continued for thousands of years. 

  Hand-woven pieces, like our Sapa scarves, are much more than just beautiful garments. They connect the weaver to her past. And they connect us to the weaver’s rich heritage as well.The colors of the Sapa, for instance, tell a story about Pachamama, Mother Earth. Invoking Pachamama through weaving at once expresses our present respect for Mother Earth and acknowledges the continuity of a tradition that revered the cycles of the natural world. Those who came before us speak through these textiles and impact the ways in which we see and interact with the world today.

he weavings we make at Threads of Peru are not the same as those that were made in the past. They have been adapted over time to modern ideas, tastes, and preferences.

But despite the differences, these textiles continue the story begun before the time of the Inca, through the symbols (pallay), incorporated in their design, the plant dyes whose secrets were uncovered by the ancients, and the techniques that thrive basically unchanged from those that originated centuries ago.

It is our mission at Threads to honor that heritage and its continuity with the present. That’s why we follow slow fashion principles, taking the time needed to create high quality, relevant modern products using the ancient ways.

So, yes, the dead do have a voice: they speak to us today by means of ancient traditions brought to life—reminding us of the timeless continuity of the human experience of life, art, and beauty. Generations pass, but humanity at its essence remains the same.