Peruvian Woven Passport Bag

Description

A Passport Bag handwoven from wool (90% sheep and 10% alpaca) which has been hand-dyed using natural colours to create these beautiful, earthy tones.

Made by a Quechua woman from Chinchero in Urubamba, Peru, called Nayda Mamani for a not-for-profit organisation which specialises in preserving the ancient Inca textile traditions and supporting the indigenous weavers.

The Centre works with ten weaving communities in the Cusco region of Peru on a fair-trade basis, supporting Quechua-speaking women and their families through skill-building, community networking and market development.

By also researching and documenting complex styles and techniques of their Inca ancestors, the Centre helps to ensure that 2000-year old textile traditions will not be lost.

I was inspired to open my Shop in Glastonbury in 2014 by my experience of living and working in Cusco, Peru in 1995-6. It is a dream come true to now be able to support the Quechua women from the area where I lived, about whom I wrote a campaign article for The Lima Times in 1995 when I became aware of the high levels of domestic violence they were subjected to.

This Passport Bag is designed to be worn across the body with the length of the strap from the neck measuring 55cm and the bag resting on your hip.