Chinchero is a charming Andean village about an hours drive outside of Cusco. It has an important Incan archaeological site with well preserved terraces and an Incan fort. Incans believed this site was the origin of the rainbow – an important mythical symbol of fortune. In fact, all over Peru people fly rainbow flags. The town also is the center for an important Andean weaving center started by master weaver, Nilda Callanaupa intent on teaching this art form to future generations to preserve this important part of Andean culture. We arrived in Chinchero and saw a demonstration of how wool, whether from sheep or alpaca, is spun, cleaned, dyed and either woven or knitted. The weavers’ workmanship at the center was detailed and beautiful – for example, a blanket could take three women a month to weave. The center sells its merchandise as a way to raise money for continuing education – there were scarves, shawls, hats, vest, table runner, blankets, ponchos, gloves and even camera straps for sale. During our visit, we watched girls as young as seven years old start to learn the craft. We next visited the village plaza where vendors in traditional Andean dress were hosting a local market. The Church of Mary anchored the square – it was a typical Spanish church, very dark inside with a large gold baroque altar. It’s interesting how the Andean people localized Catholicism when conquered by the Spaniards. Most Andean churches prominently feature Mary because Incans then and Quechua people today relate Mary to the Incan god, Mother Earth. We strolled through the market to the archaeological site. The Incans were master builders and over 600 years later, the terraces and walls they build have withstood both time and earthquakes.
