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All Peru Puno Taquile Island

Taquile Island

On this tiny spot of land in the middle of Lake Titicaca the only ones who do the knitting are the men.

Puno, Peru

Added By
laurajok
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Taquile Island   Bcasterline on Wikipedia
Taquile Island   Bcasterline on Wikipedia
Taquile Island   Ingho Mehling on Wikipedia
A knitter of Taquile.   Thomas Quine on Flickr
  JR Wetmore / Atlas Obscura User
Taquile Island Harbour   Airton Morassi / Atlas Obscura User
Departure   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
waves on the way   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
A local boat driver   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Arrival   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Knitting away   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Lovely tea on the island   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Kitting men everywhere!   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Homes   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
He just wants you to be hydrated   Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
  Blindcolour / Atlas Obscura User
Encountering peaceful friends while walking the path around the island   sushipoet / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  mocchiatto / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  JR Wetmore / Atlas Obscura User
  JR Wetmore / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Breaching the green waters of Peru's Lake Titicaca is the little mound island of Taquile where the local villagers have created a steady industry of knit handicrafts, which are knit by the men of the community.

The fine textiles that come out of Taquile are renowned the world over and are even protected as a UNESCO world heritage subject. However unlike the often tragically traditional view of knitting and textile work as the demesne of women, it is the men of Taquile Island do much of the delicate thread work.

The craftwork is divided between weaving and knitting; women do the weaving, while the knitting is man's work. The tradition begins when they are young as boys on the island begin learning their trade at the tender age of 8. Chief among these crafts are the iconic chuyo hats that many of the locals wear. Women can also be found making yarn and other tasks surrounding the creation of the items.

The 2,000-some residents of the island are well aware of the tourist appeal of their lovely island and its traditional Spanish garments. They have gone so far as to create a rather unique model for their visitor industry where the villagers act as a community to manage the comings and goings of tourists as well as the attractions they offer. This was in response to outside interests taking control of the island's tourism when it initially began in the 1970s. The people of Taquile Island are a force to be reckoned with. 

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Islands Cultures And Civilizations
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Added By

laurajok

Edited By

Martin, EricGrundhauser, sushipoet, Blindcolour...

  • Martin
  • EricGrundhauser
  • sushipoet
  • Blindcolour
  • Airton Morassi
  • breaingram
  • mocchiatto
  • JR Wetmore

Published

March 2, 2015

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Sources
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/travel/09journeys.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
  • http://www.go2peru.com/peru_guide/puno/photo_taquile_island.htm
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taquile_Island
Taquile Island
Puno
Peru
-15.777222, -69.684167

Nearby Places

Chucuito Temple of Fertility

Chucuito Province, Peru

miles away

The Uros People of Lake Titicaca

Puno, Peru

miles away

Steamship Yavari

Qullaw pruwinsya, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Puno

Puno

Peru

Places 3

Nearby Places

Chucuito Temple of Fertility

Chucuito Province, Peru

miles away

The Uros People of Lake Titicaca

Puno, Peru

miles away

Steamship Yavari

Qullaw pruwinsya, Peru

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Puno

Puno

Peru

Places 3

Related Stories and Lists

15 Amazing Places Every Yarn Lover, Knitter, and Crocheter Should Visit

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

Taquile Island

Podcast

By The Podcast Team

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