| Whether you're walking Peru's wonderful | | | | which are then dyed a wonderful variety of |
| landscapes, or taking some time out in the | | | | colours. Animal, plant and mineral dyes are used in |
| beautiful cities, you will find yourself taking in | | | | this time-consuming but worthwhile process. Once |
| many of the country's intriguing and respected | | | | the wool has been turned into threads, the |
| traditions. The traditions of Peru are both | | | | weaving can begin but this long-standing tradition |
| long-standing and of great importance to many | | | | can take a while to complete, with even a simple |
| Peruvians - here are some to look out for. | | | | scarf often taking two or three weeks to make. |
| Traditional Dress | | | | You will come across a lot of this intricately |
| When you're walking Peru, no doubt you will want | | | | woven material during your time walking Peru, as |
| to be dressed in your most comfortable attire, | | | | these goods form a large part of Peruvian culture. |
| however, the same cannot always be said of | | | | Traditional Fare |
| your Peruvian counterparts. In many rural areas | | | | Peru is known for its culinary charms, and these |
| of the country, you will still find women dressed in | | | | talents are not new to the country, but have |
| the traditional clothing of the Incan times, though | | | | evolved over many, many years. For a traditional |
| it has certainly evolved as time and practicality | | | | snack, you may want to try the local dish 'Huaitia', |
| have intervened. Though colours may differ | | | | which consists of oca - a plant found in the Andes |
| slightly according to area and location, the | | | | - and potatoes, baked together in a mud hearth. |
| traditional Incan 'anacu' has been transformed to a | | | | Other traditional fare includes 'chairo', a soup made |
| long skirt, worn with many petticoats and often | | | | of lamb, 'chalona' a dish consisting of dried meats, |
| featuring wonderfully vivid colours and detailed | | | | or even 'lechon al horno' which is a dish based |
| embroidery. Ponchos are another item of clothing | | | | around oven baked pork. For those who wish to |
| that you can expect to see, traditionally worn | | | | be more adventurous whilst walking Peru, there |
| since the 17th century and still being used as | | | | are of course other meats to be enjoyed. From |
| protection from the weather by those working | | | | alpaca to guinea pig, there is no doubting the fact |
| the land. To top off these outfits, you will mostly | | | | that cooking is a great tradition in Peru, and the |
| see people wearing either woolen or straw hats | | | | skills and recipes required have been passed down |
| that will often be dazzlingly colourful. | | | | over many generations. |
| Traditional Weaving | | | | As you are walking Peru you may well start to |
| Of course, these wonderful clothes must be | | | | feel as though you have stepped back in time |
| produced somewhere, and are often done so still | | | | thanks to the wonderful ways in which the |
| using the traditional art of Andean weaving that | | | | Peruvian culture has embraced and incorporated |
| has been passed down by each generation over | | | | the old ways into modern day life. These ancient |
| the years. The process begins with the rearing of | | | | traditions of Peru are revered not only by the |
| animals such as alpacas, llamas and sheep from | | | | inhabitants of the country, but by all those who |
| which woollen fibre can be taken at a later date. | | | | visit. |
| This wool is then washed and spun into threads | | | | |