In the Andean mountains of Peru, in a tiny village of 50 families, fine gourd carving has been practiced for generations. Pablo, a master carver, recalls his grandfather telling how it all started. “Around 200 years ago, people from Huancayo made regular trips to the jungle to trade for rice, corn, beans and other goods. Theåy met there with people from many places including gourd carvers from Ayacucho.” That's how they learned the carving techniques and brought them back to their village while creating a style of their own. Historically, Andean people used gourds to store food and to this day they are used for storing salt and spices or drinking chicha and mate Story telling or illustrative gourd carving in Peru has a long history. Carvers served their communities by recording Andean celebrations, oral traditions, rituals, myths, and weddings. |