Discover Peruvian weaving and goldsmithing traditions being preserved in Pisac

Peru’s Sacred Valley is a real haven for the curious traveller. It’s filled with the remains of Incan history and culture, the nearby city of Cusco is a hub for old celebrations like Inti Raymi, and the small communities throughout work to keep millenary traditions alive. 

If you visit Pisac, you’ll most likely be met with market stalls throughout the town, selling an array of multi-coloured textiles and weavings, as well as beautiful gold and silver crafts. These crafts are part of an incredible tradition of weaving and goldsmithing which dates even further back than the Incan times! 

Travelling with Contiki, you’ll get to participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to learn all about the preservation of this tradition, and what it means to the locals. Curious? We’ve spoken to Ernesto Pereira, the head of this experience, to get some pre-travel insights.

Hi Ernesto! Can you tell us how long weaving has been around in Pisac?

“Weaving has always been a part of our lives. It is a heritage that comes from pre-Inca times, and that was further strengthened during the Inca Empire. Textiles dating back to 1000 BC have been found here in the Sacred Valley, although the most elaborate are from later times.”

“In the communities of Pisac, we continue to weave by hand as our grandparents and great-grandparents did, using natural dyes to give the alpaca wool its colours and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.”

“Goldsmithing flourished especially in the time of the Incas who used precious metals not only for ornaments, but also for religious purposes. Gold was considered the blood of the sun, and silver was the tear of the moon.”

Historically, where did these traditions come from?

“These traditions come from our Andean ancestors. For them, both weaving and goldsmithing were much more than an art: they were the ways of communicating with nature, with the gods and with each other. Every thread, every metal worked, had a spiritual meaning. Cultures such as the Incas, the Mochicas, or the Chimú deeply valued these expressions, and we follow that path today.”

Can you tell us a little bit about Peruvian weaving and textiles? What makes them so unique?

“Peruvian textiles are part of a cultural heritage which developed extremely complex weaving techniques using the fibres of alpaca, llama, and vicuña (one of the first fibres in the world!) and Peruvian cotton. Our fabrics are not only decorative, they tell stories.”

“In each piece we represent nature, family, agricultural cycles, or Andean animals such as the snake or condor. Using natural dyes that we take from plants and insects (such as cochineal, which produces a deep red colour), roots, and minerals to create vibrant colours.”

“Each fabric is unique, handmade with love and centuries of wisdom. That’s what makes them unique.”

Peruvian weaving is so vibrant in colour. Is there a reason for the choice of colours used?

“Of course! The colours have a soul, they represent the connection with the earth and the universe (Andean cosmovision).”

“Each one represents something: red is the blood of our ancestors and the earth. Yellow represents the harvest, abundance, the power of the sun that gives us life. Green to our mountains and fields, fertility. The black represents Pachamama (mother earth), ancestral wisdom. Blue to sky, water, and the upper world and white to purity and spirituality and because we use natural dyes, the colours are not only vibrant but also have a direct connection to the nature around us.”

“But beyond the visual, the colours in the fabric tell a story, express emotions, celebrate life or remember those who are no longer here.”

Why is preserving tradition so important in your opinion?

“Because it is our identity. These traditions represent centuries of history and ancestral wisdom of the Andean peoples. Preserving them is a way to keep their identity and cultural pride alive.”

“Weaving and working techniques in precious metals have been transmitted from generation to generation, often orally or practically. To lose these traditions would be to lose an ancient knowledge that cannot be replaced by modern technology, and many rural communities depend economically on the production, and sale of their textiles and goldsmithings to earn a living.”

How do you hope to pass down these traditions to younger generations?

“We run a workshop school where we have spaces for those who want to learn directly from the most experienced artisans. The workshops, where grandparents, parents and teachers teach young people the techniques of weaving and goldsmithing, allow a more direct and authentic transmission of knowledge.”

“The children in the community see how we work, and little by little they get involved. It is not just about repeating what we do but about feeling proud. We want young people not only to learn how to weave or work on metals, but to understand why we do it and what it represents.”

When people visit Pisac and get to experience and witness these crafts and traditions, what do you hope they will learn? What do you hope they will take back with them?

“I hope that they realise the depth of the work we do, the details and love that go into creating each piece. That they learn to differentiate between something artisanal and something industrial. And that they begin to value the authentic, the human, the imperfectly beautiful.”

“I want you to leave with stories: the story of the symbol you chose on a fabric, of the technique you saw in action, of the artisan who taught you something. And above all, they take a little piece of the Andean spirit. That they feel the warmth, the hospitality, the connection with Pachamama, with the sacred, with the community.”

How does it feel to be able to share your culture with people from around the world?

“It fills us with pride to see how people who come from far away are moved to hear our stories and learn about our traditions. Sharing our culture is also a way to celebrate what unites us as humans: creativity, respect for the earth, beauty in simple things. I hope they take a little piece of the experience away with them, and it really fills us with pride to be able to show the world who we are and where we come from.”