SPI and local artisans are collaborating to promote neglected heritage and support craft traditions in cajamarca
The Site
The city of Cajamarca is host to ancient and colonial heritage. The most famous site in the city is the 'Ransom Room' which the captured Inca Emperor Atahualpa supposedly filled with gold in an attempt to secure his release. Nearby is The Belén Monumental Complex, which consists of a colonial church and hospital. There is also a rich landscape of ancient sites around the city, including Kunturwasi, Cumbemayo and Ventanillas de Otuzco.
The Community
The city is a hub for the region and sees a steady stream of visitors. However, the current crafts on offer to visitors do not reflect local art and history, reducing awareness in tourists and the local community. Local artisans do not use local heritage in their designs, in favor of generic Peruvian ideas, alienating them from their unique and local culture.
The Project
SPI is working with local stone and ceramic artisans to create compelling products which utilize local culture. This not only gives artisans extra income and a connection to their local heritage, but offers visitors the chance to purchase local souvenirs based on the heritage they are visiting. SPI designers have produced a collection of products in stone and ceramic which draw motifs from the architecture of the city.
Achievements
The collection of ceramic and stone pieces went on sale in 2018 and the artisans are learning more about their history and growing their businesses!
The Big thing we have learned
A city can provide enormous inspiration for fantastic artisan products.
The Future
We are excited to spread the word about these great products and developing new ones. Help us do that!
Cajamarca PROJECT UPDATES
🧐 Take a look into the artistic process of SPI artisans in Cajamarca, Peru! #BuildFuturesSavePastshttps://t.co/WsaSI9wehc pic.twitter.com/tR54QRcM1V
— SPInitiative (@SPInitiative) March 31, 2020
SPI supported #artisan, Marino, in his shop near the Cajamarca ruins in #Peru 🇵🇪https://t.co/WsaSI9wehc pic.twitter.com/XLTpT5yxQ0
— SPInitiative (@SPInitiative) September 30, 2019
Our Cajamarca artisans selling their hand-made products at Ruraq Maki, the huge Peruvian #artisan fair!@MinCulturaPe
— SPInitiative (@SPInitiative) July 28, 2019
#BuildFuturesSavePasts
(link: https://t.co/HH5cSVW89g) pic.twitter.com/eAAv025nTY
How beautiful are these #ceramics?! 🎨 This hand-painted iconography collection was completed in 2018 by ceramics artisans in SPI's #Cajamarca project in #Peru.
— SPInitiative (@SPInitiative) June 6, 2020
💻 Visit our website to discover how we are helping local communities benefit from archaeological site preservation. pic.twitter.com/crpAcfW2uT