CTTC: the weavers of the Andes
The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco explains Andean weaving from cave finds to the Inca, and profiles ten highland communities still weaving today.
What it is
The Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) is a non-profit founded in 1996 by Andean weavers and their supporters. It works with ten weaving communities in the Cusco region on a fair-trade basis, helping revive techniques, training young weavers and selling their work. The site is in English and Spanish.
Why we picked it
The Andean world didn't rely on writing the way Europe did — a lot of what people wanted to keep and pass on was woven into cloth. The "About Andean textiles" section is a good short introduction to that story. It starts with the earliest finds in Guitarrero Cave, around 8000 BC, moves through Chavín, the textiles of Paracas and Nasca, the Inca and the colonial era, and ends with weaving today. It also has some startling numbers: Andean weavers averaged about 250 wefts per inch, with some samples topping 500.
The community pages are even better. Each village gets its own page with altitude and a description of its local tradition — Accha Alta at nearly 3,950 metres, Chahuaytire near Pisac, Chinchero and others. You quickly realise that "Peruvian textiles" means dozens of distinct schools, patterns and dyeing methods.
To be fair, the site has a shop and it is visible. But the core material is educational, and the blog covers natural-dye workshops and the life of the weaving associations.
Where to start
- Read "About Andean textiles" and its timeline from pre-Inca times to today.
- Open "Meet the weavers" and click through the community pages.
- Browse the blog — the post on revitalising dyeing workshops is a good one.
- See which workshops the center runs, from backstrap weaving to hand spinning.
- In Cusco? The center's shop and exhibition are right next to Qorikancha.
Who it's for
Knitters, weavers and anyone who loves textiles. Travellers heading to Cusco who want to understand what they see at the markets. Anyone curious about pre-Columbian cultures.
Quick answers
Is the site in English? Yes, with English and Spanish versions.
Is it a shop? Partly. Weavers' work is sold here, but there are substantial educational sections too.
Where is the center? In Cusco, next to the Qorikancha temple, with a shop and exhibition space.
