6. Peru – the Quechuan weaving community in the Andes
This project will support the artisanship of ten Quechuan communities living in the Peruvian Andes and, in particular, the 500 traditional weavers and their families whose livelihoods depend on these endangered skills. Partnering with the The Center of Traditional Textiles in Cusco co-founded in 1996 and run by Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, we are documenting the endangered pre-Columbian weaving techniques - from their start (the collection of plants from the Andean jungle) to the natural dye processes used and the design, making and completion of the textiles by the weavers; creating a permanent archive of photos, videos and other recordings of the local traditional Quechuan weaving and weavers; and creating a series of photographic portraits of the Quechuan weavers working with CTTC who hold and practice these endangered skills and the younger generations that they are passing them on to.