Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is central to the Quechuan way of life. At high altitudes potatoes are the only viable staple crop, with just a single yield per year. Much more of the peoples’ labor is devoted to caring for their animals, which in addition to providing protein and wool also has a long history of trade with other regions of Peru, including the coast and Amazonian Basin. Throughout the week, even daily, members of the family, including men, women and children, may hike several miles and thousands of feet to check on herds of alpaca, llama, sheep, and horses grazing in the mountains surrounding their village.

In the Andean highlands alpaca is the animal most closely associated with the traditional Quechuan way of life. While the llama is a superior pack animal - and the one most often associated with Peru in other parts of the world - the alpaca’s wool is more highly regarded as a textile material and its meat is prized above others for its nutritional benefits*. Domestication of alpaca, llama and cuy (guinea pigs) all have a history reaching back thousands of years; cows, sheep, horses, mules and pigs have all been prevalent since their introduction during the Spanish conquest.

Alpaca thrive in pastures over 14,000ft, and rural Quechuans can readily tell the difference in wool quality from higher grazing alpacas, whose coats grow in thicker and finer to shield them from the harsh high-altitude elements. Many Quechuans will sell the lower grade alpaca wool, saving the high-elevation yields for their own family’s ponchos and mantas. Though many, particularly the men, have embraced modern clothing, the traditional woven clothes are preferred to synthetics as an outer layer. In addition to being highly functional, these intricately woven textiles proudly declare ethnic heritage, tribal affiliation, family industry, and individual skill. In the stark mountain landscape a lone figure enrobed in bright orange and red wool stands out brightly, even miles away.

Among the weavers of Patacancha, sheep wool is as common as alpaca wool, and the two varieties can often be found side by side in a single weaving. In many regions sheep wool has largely replaced that of the llama and alpaca. When llama wool is used it is commonly reserved for more rugged items such as blankets and rope.

* Two other camelids, the vicuna and guanaco, also live in the Andean highlands. The vicuña yields the most highly prized wool of all, though the species is rare and difficult to domesticate. The guanaco is a wild  and critically endangered species, with a coarse wool similar to llama.