Alfredo Cusihuaman Llihuac

Alfredo is one of the few pedal-loom weaver in Chinchero. He is also an indigenous Quechua-speaker, and contributes to the education behind many of the words that the SIQUICHA pieces adopt to shape their storytelling. Before most of the village has had breakfast, Alfredo has already run laps around the plaza at the archaeological ruins and pulled root vegetables from his own farm (chacra in Quechua). After recharging his energy, he sits down at the loom and matches the rhythm of the weft until nightfall.

He is married to Norberta Auccacusi Huaman, leader of Taller de Tejidos Q'aytu, where the two of them work together.

Pictured: Alfredo weaving using a pedal-loom in Chinchero, Cusco.
Image credit: Miguel Palomino Pictured: Alfredo preparing the huatia, an earth-oven that is constructed with soil clods (k'urpas). The oven is heated with firewood, and the ingredients (native potatoes, sweet potatoes, and ocas) are buried inside to slow-cook in the earth.

Image credit: Miguel Palomino 

Pictured: Norberta and Alfredo in their home in Chinchero, Cusco 

Image credit: Miguel Palomino