Hooded Peruvian Poncho

The Sacred Valley of the Incas or Urubamba Valley is a valley in the Andes Mountains of Peru, close to the historic Inca capital of Cusco and lying below the ancient sacred city of Machu Picchu. Surrounding this area, and far from the urban center of Cusco, weavers from different villages sit in front of backstrap and horizontal looms and make the warp and weft sing with colors and patterns as their ancestors have done for many years, thereby keeping alive a sacred tradition of weaving. These villages include Accha Alta, Ccatca, Chahuaytire, Chinchero, Mahuaypampa, Ocongate, Patabamba, Pisac, Pitumarca, to name a few. The result is a richness and variety of designs which can be seen in the variety of poncho styles, for example, their yarns, lengths, colors, patterns, fringes, bindings, drape, and heft.