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In the Andean mountains of Peru, in a tiny village of 50 families, fine
gourd carving has been practiced for generations. Pablo, a master
carver, recalls his grandfather telling how it all started. “Around 200 years
ago, people from Huancayo made regular trips to the jungle to trade for rice,
corn, beans and other goods. They met there with people from many places
including gourd carvers from Ayacucho.” That's how they learned the
carving techniques and brought them back to their village while
creating a style of their own. Historically, Andean people used gourds to store
food and to this day they are used for storing salt and spices or drinking
chicha and mate.
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Story telling or illustrative gourd
carving in Peru has a long history. Carvers served their communities by
recording Andean celebrations, oral traditions, rituals, myths, and weddings.
Archaeologists in Peru recently discovered a deity figure on a
gourd carved over 4,000 years ago. What once used to be one man's job
today involves the entire family. “My 4 year old son already wants to learn”
says Pablo. |
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