South
America South America is home to millions of indigenous peoples.
The largest of which are the Quechua people as pictured
in this tile scene. Quechuan language is the most spoken
indigenous language in the Americas, and their traditional
medicinal practices contributed to the discovery of Quinine,
which is used to treat malaria!
Native to the Andean mountain region, llamas are an important
part of life, providing fibers for clothing and formerly, preserved
meat for the harsh mountain winters. Weaving is especially
important in Quechuan life as the temperatures in more remote
regions often drop to below freezing temperatures, where warm
clothing is essential for survival. Many families still create yarn in
the traditional way, using natural dyes and hand-spinning yarn.
Lliclla are the square capes or shawls worn by Quechuan woman,
and are created using hand-spun and hand woven yarn. The
cape is not only ornate and incredibly detailed, but also keeps
women warm due to the natural fibers. When selecting colors for
this quilt, think of the exciting and bold colors of the traditional
Quechua blankets for inspiration.