The Issue

Over the last few decades, the Quechua weaving tradition has seen a rapid decline due to economic pressures and the changing role of the indigenous campesino population in Peruvian society.

Many young weavers of our generation are no longer learning the art from their elders; instead, they simply buy commercial textiles to sell at a greater profit. They now see this industry as nothing more than a monetary exchange between local and tourist, and forget the importance of this tradition as a cultural cornerstone. Those who do still weave are turning to synthetic dyes and fibres, non-traditional methods, and simplified designs. Because textile knowledge is transmitted orally from elders to youth, the entire textile tradition could disappear within this generation. Because there was traditionally no written Quechua language, textiles act as a history book - both of the past and the present - to document and communicate identity, values, stories, and knowledge. With the disappearance of the textile tradition, the integrity of the entire Quechua culture and language is at great risk.

While our primary concern is to mitigate this risk, an additional goal is to bridge the gap in the commodity chain between producer and consumer. We value the work and hours in each textile as well as the lives of the people who create them. With the sale of each Q'ente textile, the consumer not only receives a material product but a story that connects him or her to the weaver - her name, her family's story, the hours spent to produce the piece, the symbols mastered, and the plants picked by hand to dye the wool.

Our Goals

• To help revitalize the Quechua textile tradition for its artistic, cultural, and historical value
• To renew respect and pride for the Quechua culture, language, and lifestyle
• To act as a networking platform for textile and cultural revitalization projects in the Peruvian Andes
• To encourage the transmission of traditional knowledge and reconnection of generations in Quechua communities
• To aid in the stabilization of the economy in participating communities, and bridge the gap in the commodity chain between producer and consumer
• To foster international awareness of and compassion for third-world issues, international solidarity, and the value of indigenous traditions

Where do our funds go?

100% of the revenue generated from textile sales is returned to the Cusco region of Peru and the Q'ente Society, according to the following break-down:

A portion of the fund is given directly to the weaver

A portion goes to the community of which the weaver is a part, to be used towards a specific community revitalization project

A portion supports the Mosqoy: Sacred Valley Youth Fund in providing opportunities for post-secondary education to future community leaders

A portion circulates back into the Q'ente Society to purchase more textiles and cover operating costs

Our Promises

All yarn is natural and local - alpaca, or sheep wool.

All colours are achieved with natural dyes.

All textiles are hand-knit or woven on backstrap looms by artisans of the Cusco area.

All purchases are fairly negotiated directly with the weaver by members of our team.

All profits generated from this project will be returned to the Cusco region.

We are NOT making any profit on any sales made through this project.