IAPICC

As part of the social entrepreneurial ethos of the Center, the International Association for the Preservation of Indigenous and Contemporary Cultures (IAPICC) was established in 2003, an NGO to support the Peruvian indigenous Q'eros communities, and the Shipibo-Conibo tribe in the Pucallpa Amazon jungles.

These communities are custodians of ancient wisdom traditions that offer insights into living harmoniously with their environment. They are able to maintain these traditions by largely resisting the pull of modern life, living on their ancestral lands, and passing their indigenous knowledge to the next generation. With a strong tribal identity, they retain many ancient practices, living far from modern towns and cities. They usually only journey into cities to replenish food stocks not available in their harsh environments and to trade their valuable textiles and medicinal plants. Their textiles have become highly sought after by tourists and collectors worldwide, each design believed to leave an imprint of knowledge.

The preservation of Peruvian textile traditions is a primary focus of IAPICC projects. The mission of IAPICC is to preserve the traditional knowledge of Peru’s ancient civilizations, encapsulated in their plant knowledge and textiles, and make it accessible to the public. This is achieved through two sustainable development initiatives: Project Q’eros in the highlands of the Andes and Project Shipibo in the jungle of the Upper Amazon.

PROJECT Q’EROS

The Q’ero people have lived in Peru’s remote highlands for thousands of years. They have lived simply in ‘Ayllu’ (self-sustaining social units) and ‘Anyi’ (giving before receiving), maintaining a balance with nature. They are known for their superior connection with, and understanding of their environment. Chosen for their superior skills, they were the weavers for the Inca and his family. Without a written language, the Incas communicated their wisdom through patterns in cloth. Each pattern carries a message believed to leave an imprint on the subconscious. The Q’eros are the keepers of this ancient knowledge, and these weaving traditions are usually passed down through generations.

Due to lack of resources the Q’eros were forced from the highlands in the early 2000’s, into cities to look for work and to cater to tourists. To increase their yields Q’ero women weavers began using synthetic yarns and adapting designs that took less time to weave. The new cloths lacked the quality of the old ones, and many ancient designs and techniques were lost.

The initial mission of Project Q’eros was to recover the indigenous textile designs of the Q’ero people, which contain the messages of the Incas. Through the Weavers of Wisdom Project, IAPICC commissioned the production of new textiles in the traditional way and built a school of weaving in Q’ero, where Q’ero women weavers can pass on their knowledge to future generations. Through expeditions to Q’ero, IAPICC successfully collected, restored, and chronicled many old designs and dyeing techniques, ensuring that these traditional methods were not lost. Consequently, IAPICC commissioned the production of 24 original textiles to serve as blueprints for the original, old designs. Project Q'eros is ongoing, as we support and create an international market for these Q'ero textiles through sales to museums and exhibitions.

PROJECT SHIPIBO

In the Jungles of the upper Amazon, the Shipibo people understand the fabric of reality to be made up of songs, the complex motifs of which they weave and paint into their clothing and onto pottery and tools. These medicine songs are the basis of their culture. It is with their songs and plants that the Shipibo heal illness and restore and maintain harmony. It is the women who embroider and paint the cloths and utensil’s intricate designs from memory, as though the designs are contained in their genetic blueprints. Each pattern is unique, depicting their

Ayahuasca cosmology.

In addition, this pre-Columbian culture still retains the knowledge of thousands of medicinal plants whose healing properties are invaluable to modern society. Ironically, it is the inevitable encroachment of modern society, with its western values and environmentally destructive systems that is confronting the traditional lifestyle of the Shipibo.

The mission of Project Shipibo is to inform society about the traditional use of jungle medicines and exposing the meanings in the cloths that the communities paint and weave. Creating a market for the traditional Shipibo crafts and cloths on an international platform helps to ensure funds for the villagers and a means of keeping their traditions alive.

IAPICC Expeditions

IAPICC periodically launches expeditions to the Q'ero people in the Andes and Shipibo communities in the jungles of Peru to educate travellers about the ancient traditions and way of life of these indigenous peoples.

IAPICC Exhibitions

IAPICC creates awareness and an ongoing market for traditional Peruvian textiles as artworks by holding exhibitions and sales events to individuals and institutions.

IAPICC Engagement

Through ongoing engagement with community leaders and traditional healers we support ancient traditions and wisdom ways, and create opportunities for the public to experience and learn from these.