Faces of Tradition: Weaving Elders of the Andes

I had seen this WONDERFUL book while in Peru a month ago (August 2015) in the Textile Museum in Cusco. I had only HOPED I would be able to get it when I got home, because of the weight of books and I travel light. I had looked up Chinchero before going on my trip knowing we were going to see the weavers there. I have published two self publishing books on my previous travels and only wished I could have seen the elderly ladies like the ones featured in this lovely book. It turned out my guide knew a few of the weavers in this book. The photography of Joe Coca is of the VERY BEST quality. You can see how he captures the heart and soul of his subjects and they relate to him. My souvenir from the trip was one of the hats actually worn by the women. I am now going to order the new book 'Traditional Weavers of Guatemala' . I have been there twice.

Honors the importance of people who weave and keep textile knowledge alive.

I am an art teacher, I met the author when I was in Peru. She is a lovey person and the people of her village are beautiful and very talented. I got this book as a reference when I’m teaching weaving.

This tribute to the weavers is a moving, insightful, ethnography with beautiful photographs, rich with details of the weavers, their daily lives,beliefs, gardens, landscape, ethnobotany, and villages. Disclaimer: My husband and I, friends of Chris Franquemont, had to drop out of a trip to Peru she led in the spring of 2007. I am grateful that the book was finished before Chris died in 2013.

This book recognizes the skill and history of the weaving tradition in Peru with beauty and sensitivity. The stories of the individual weavers brought them to life and reminded that reader of the sustaining value of weaving in their lives. For those of us who are also weavers, this is a glimpse into the greater weaving community. Beatifully photographed!

It's hard not to be impressed by the resilience of the women depicted in this book. Their work is also impressive and the fact that they are living historians of ancient patterns makes telling their stories extremely valuable. This is a wonderful addition to any person's library who values not only weaving, but also those who value inspirational stories about women.

A fine and beautiful book honoring elders and their extraordinary work of weaving. This would make a perfect gift for many an occasion and is like no other. The publisher, Thrums Books of Colorado, specializes in outstanding book design. The book is also distinguished by its size, very striking.

Another great book by Nilda (muchas gracias Nilda). As a young child growing up in Peru, the images of the old (and young women) strolling through the hills with their drop spindles while tending the livestock is still heavily ingrained in this old brain. What a great tribute to the artisans of Peru.

I am a weaver who expects to use only the best available equipment yet I still cannot produce anything remotely like the intircate textiles produced by the weavers of the Andes who would have had no sophisticated equipment . These weavers have the knowledge and traditions passed down from generation to generation of not only the weaving techniques but the designs particular to each area. This book is a beautiful tribute to those 'Weaving Elders', with photographs and details on many individuals plus information about the textiles of the area. A wonderful tribute to some of the world's most inspiring weavers and so humbling knowing that most of them would have worked on the most basic of looms and in harshest of conditions. This is a must for anyone interested in weaving traditions.

JOE COCA,S PHOTOGRAPHS ARE WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL IMAGES FULL OF CHARACTER.THIS IS A GEM OF A BOOK AND THE TEXT IS GREAT TOO THERE ARE PHOTOS OF THE LANDSCAPE AND LLAMAS AS WELL.THIS IS A LESSON ON HOW TO MAKE PORTRAITS FROM AN EXPERT PHOTOGRAPHER

great book

This book has some amazing photographs of Quechua elders, both men and women Joe Coca is to be congratulated! The interviews with the elders brings to life their harsh way of living which in no way hampers their creativity to make the time consuming and intricate textiles and continue the traditions of their Inca ancestors. People interested in the cultures of the Andes and textiles and weaving would enjoy this lovely book and likely want to add it to their own library. Happily Dr Christine Franquemont finished her contribution to the publication but sadly passed away just before the book was actually launched.

Berauschende Bilder! Interessantes über Weben und Spinnen in den Anden. Stolze Menschen mit scheinbar viel Freude am Handwerk.Interessante und beeindruckende Lebensgeschichten. Da erinnert man sich wieder mal daran, wie gut es uns doch geht.