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people take as tea. Grows in valleys not mountains. This stitch is a star. The chaska was very important for Incas. Chonchu loraipo the 8th of Sep. is a special festival. Its the name of a plant but also represents the name of a man who is a dancer. Mahi Mahi stitch represents the hands at work. The hands that plant & weave. This was completely learned from my Grandmother. She uses her fingers to pull the strings to create the pattern. When the cooperative of weavers from 10 villiages come together, in 1966 they noticed the traditions of dying w/plants was being lost so they got together to preserve it. When we begin weaving we think what it is for. Bright festive colors for a party weaving. When its for a person who is older, 30 or older, colors are more somber, dark blues, black. For single women the costume traditions change. The underside of her hat is red, she is unmarried. Black hat is married. Bright colors for a single woman. There are 10 communities in the weaving cooperative. About 950 weavers in all. From 2 valleys from the South & the Sacred Valley. Weavers from communities come to Kusco, is central & ancient center of Inca. 70% of money goes to artist, 30% to the center maintainence. There is a director, each community has a governing body that guides & organizes. Traditional shawls, the large triangle Manta, framed art pieces. The innovative market, laptop cases, eyeglass cases. The bag is lined on the inside, not traditional. Locally utilitarian pieces are sold. Outside of that it may be traditional or not.

Q: How long does it take to make one of these pieces.
A: About 2 months. Wash wool, spin, not carded, use warping boards. Dye yarn, loom weave then sew rectangles together. Then the edging.-Done on a small loom by weaving/sewing combo. Finishing edge is Chinchero, each village has its own style. She can identify a weaver by looking at their piece.