Weaving Preserves Culture
Posted April 13, 2016 @ 10:13am | by Melanie
When I first met Master Weaver Wilber Quispe in 1996, his oldest son Samuel was 9 yrs old. As I got to know the family, I asked Sam if he thought about being a weaver when he got older, and I clearly remember his response; “NO, I want to be a banker or go into the military” I understood that weaving didn’t seem like a profession to him. They were living in a straw house at the time we first met, no doubt the financial possibilities looked dismal.
Fortunately Samuel has chosen the noble craft of weaving. He didn’t just jump in however, he finished a four year business course with still on eye on pursuing outside opportunities. During the last 20 years, he’s always spent time at the loom while studying and doing other things.Those 20 years, with his master weaver Father at his side, he has become an exceptional weaver and is committed to the craft. It helped immensely that I started guiding in Peru the same year we met. I added their home visit to my itineraries. Having interested groups come from the states, and buy their pieces with gusto, made an impression on the whole family that changed their course. ( Mil Gracias ArtAndes travelers)
Samuel just had a baby. A weaving ‘taller’ is the perfect work place to raise a child!
Samuel has led his siblings, & two cousins, down a similar weaving path. We are hopeful that the family will carry on the craft.
