Gloria Chura Apaza

Cusco, Peru

I grew up in the Q'ero Nation by the Auzangate Mountain at 6,384 meters above sea level. I learned to weave from my grandmother and community of women in our indigenous village and continue to use this skill. I now live in Cusco so that my 8 year old daughter can have a different education.

About Me

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Connecting to the world through weaving

I was born in the Q’ero Nation high in the Andes mountains in Peru. I learned to weave from my grandmother, mother and other women in my community. The weaving that we did in my home was all by hand. We made the yarn from the alpaca wool that came from our alpacas. We dyed the yarn ourselves and each garment takes hours and hours of work. This is my skill and each design has meaning and tells the story of the Q’ero culture.

I love to experience the world and learn other cultures. I also love to share my unique culture with the world through the fabrics that I create.

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Meet Gloria Chura Apaza

This is a collection of reflections about the materials that I work with and the meaning behind it.

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Design Elements and Meaning

"In the designs will be appreciated:

Inti
Chunchu
Inti pele
Moro inti
Ichu inti
Mutual chunchu

In different weavings there is always the Andean duality, which is, sun and moon, day and night, feminine and masculine, etc. It is very important because there is all the energy of nature and coexistence and in the carnivals we do the demonstration, whoever does it better is seen well with the community. they say she weaves well. I continue weaving so as not to lose my ancestral traditions and to preserve and make them known to everyone." —Gloria

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My Interests

Traveling is what fills up my heart the most. I love seeing and learning about other cultures and exploring the world. I feel so grateful for new experiences and creating connections with others from around the world. These new relationships always bring joy and friendship to my life. Viajar es lo que más me llena el corazón. Me encanta ver y conocer otras culturas y explorar el mundo. Me siento muy agradecida por las nuevas experiencias y por crear vínculos con otras personas de todo el mundo. Estas nuevas relaciones siempre traen alegría y amistad a mi vida.

My Strengths

I consider myself a very strong, tenacious person who doesn't give up because I believe nothing is impossible. My mom says that of all my sisters and the women in the village, I am different, I have a strength inside of me that stands out from others. I show up with authenticity, confidence and willings to experience new things without fear. This is really who I am. Me considero una persona muy fuerte y tenaz que no se rinde porque creo que nada es imposible. Mi madre dice que de todas mis hermanas y las mujeres del pueblo, yo soy diferente, tengo una fuerza dentro de mí que destaca sobre las demás. Aparezco con autenticidad, confianza y ganas de experimentar cosas nuevas sin miedo. Esto es realmente lo que soy.

My communities

Although my Q'ero community where I grew up shaped me in many ways, currently, I feel most appreciative of my core family and my daughter because I can trust them to support me and have my back and be with me in this life that I have chosen. Aunque la comunidad q'ero en la que crecí me formó de muchas maneras, actualmente me siento más agradecida a mi familia nuclear y a mi hija porque puedo confiar en que me apoyarán, me cubrirán las espaldas y estarán conmigo en esta vida que he elegido.

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