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It’s 1966 in the community of Chinchero, Peru, and six-year-old Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez has at last been given the responsibility of tending to her family’s flock of sheep. While watching them graze, she and her friends also begin to discover the intricacies of traditional weaving. And little by little, her small hands turn an ancestral craft passed down from her mother and grandmother into muscle memory. Her dreams are filled with spinning threads—connecting her to her past, and to her future.
A Better Way to Live and Dye
Nearly 60 years pass and Nilda is now a Master Quechua Weaver and co-founder of Centro de Textiles Tradicionales de Cusco—which started out as a group of friends revitalizing nearly-lost patterns while also earning independent income. Today, the nonprofit focuses on preserving Quechua textile traditions, which includes the indigenous wisdom of using natural dyes rather than modern chemicals and synthetics.
Of course, when living high in the mountains of Cusco, not every plant, vine, and ore needed to create these elaborate artforms is waiting right outside a weaver’s doorstep. So connecting with surrounding Peruvian communities in the valleys and near the coastline is key to obtaining the materials they need. It’s an extra effort, but Nilda and her fellow Quechua Weavers are always up for the challenge.
It also takes time (and plenty of trial and error) to use natural dying techniques. Timing the fabric soak to bring forth the perfect shade of salmon pink, rich orange, or the traditional indigo blue worn by the ladies in Nilda’s hometown of Chinchero is a practice in patience. But well worth it to this group, who understand that doing things in this way is an act of protecting both people and the planet.
Watch the Natural Dyes in Action
Signed by the Artist
Overseen by Nilda herself, a team of 250 artisans weaves years of practice and dedication into their work. And as with any true piece of art, it deserves the artist’s signature as the finishing touch. That’s why every sweater purchased from Paka has a unique, handwoven Inca ID attached—the unique signature of the skilled Quechua Weaver who created it.
Made in the Sacred Valley of the Peruvian highlands, each of these small tags represents something much greater than itself: a preserved indigenous tradition, the artisan’s years of training, and the opportunity at financial independence for the woman who made it.
Your Purchase Makes an Impact
- Supporting Quechua Weavers like Nilda’s team is at the heart of what we do here at Paka. We’re proud that we can create the connection point between this traditional Peruvian craft and you. To show our immense gratitude, Paka pays the team of 250+ women weavers 4x the standard family living wage.
- Your purchase also helps us support Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) and their Sunday School program which teaches Quechua weaving practices to the next generation of Cusco kids, keeping the traditions alive and thriving.
- Finally, Paka has financed university tuition for 17 young Peruvian women just this year alone. Because like Nilda, who was one of the first women from her community to earn her degree, we know that the positive impact of education ripples far into the future. Meet each of those 17 young women here.
Explore the Inca Collection
