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Huayanay
Huayanay - Huayanay,
Huancavelica
Leoncio de la Cruz Quispe, Alberto de la Cruz Solano, Godofredo de la Cruz Ccente, Misael Chocca Fernandez, Agustin Ccente Hilario, Gonzalo Ccente López, Emiliano Chocca Fernandez
In the
1960's and 70's a Swiss family lived in
Huancayo and helped weavers adapt colors and
designs for the European market. They assisted
in constructing looms and obtaining materials
for many weavers in order to make products for
that market. The art of weaving continued
and expanded. However, when the family left
during the terrorism of the eighties, many
weavers were left with weaving skills and a
loom but little business skills or connections
for buying materials or selling goods. Decades
later, one can still see dilapidated looms
throughout Huancayo and Huancavelica. Very few
weavers have been able to market their
weavings.
In the
1980s, Huayanay was a typical community: all
farmed, raised animals, and wove. Each
month they would go to Huancayo to pick up
materials and deliver their finished
products. They had to shear their llamas and
sheep; the wives would spin the material into
yarn; they would dye the yarn with natural
berries, roots and leaves; and make a colorful
woolen bedspread. They didn't have a market and
would simply take the product to the city of
Huancavelica, hoping to sell there. At
that time it was difficult to sell even 10
bedspreads a year. Yet this was their principal
source of cash income so they kept at
it.
ATIYPAQ, one of the institutions of the Joining Hands Against Poverty Network, worked near Huayanay and knew that most were weavers who weren't weaving much anymore. ATIYPAQ introduced some of the weavers to the Bridge of Hope Fair Trade project. Members of the group were invited to Lima so they could learn about buying materials. Given the traditional designs they wanted to incorporate, they decided to try to weave 100% cotton baby blankets. Weaving cotton has proven to be a challenge because it's very different from weaving wool but after numerous attempts, the group has created very successful products.
Huayanay is a small settlement of houses perched at over 14,500 feet, a four-hour walk outside of Huancavelica city. In these homes are looms where beautiful and soft baby blankets and shawls are being produced.
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Leoncio de la Cruz Quispe, Alberto de la Cruz Solano, Godofredo de la Cruz Ccente, Misael Chocca Fernandez, Agustin Ccente Hilario, Gonzalo Ccente López, Emiliano Chocca Fernandez
ATIYPAQ, one of the institutions of the Joining Hands Against Poverty Network, worked near Huayanay and knew that most were weavers who weren't weaving much anymore. ATIYPAQ introduced some of the weavers to the Bridge of Hope Fair Trade project. Members of the group were invited to Lima so they could learn about buying materials. Given the traditional designs they wanted to incorporate, they decided to try to weave 100% cotton baby blankets. Weaving cotton has proven to be a challenge because it's very different from weaving wool but after numerous attempts, the group has created very successful products.
Huayanay is a small settlement of houses perched at over 14,500 feet, a four-hour walk outside of Huancavelica city. In these homes are looms where beautiful and soft baby blankets and shawls are being produced.
Shop Huayanay's products >>
Return to previous page >>