TALLER QHANAWIRI
The Qhanawiri Association of the parish of Peñas was founded to offer employment and empowerment opportunities to several women from local communities and to promote craftsmanship through the production of felt from sheep and llama wool.
It all began with the construction of the workshop and the arrival of a carding machine, donated by Italy, which enabled the first creations to be made. Over time, the association expanded its activities to include machine cutting and sewing on aguayo.
Each piece is the result of an entirely manual process, combining artisanal expertise and local raw materials, thus preserving ancient techniques and supporting the community's economy.
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ARTISANAL DAIRY
The first artisanal dairy was built in the parish of Peñas in 2017, thanks to the visit of an Italian friend, an expert cheesemaker, who taught us the method of producing Piedmontese "toma" cheese.
The project has grown over time. In 2022, thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Milan, a full-fledged dairy was built, equipped with machinery capable of processing 200 liters of milk. At the same time, the cellars were expanded to accommodate the aging of larger quantities.
The milk is bought by various families in the community, thus boosting the local economy.
Production has been enriched with new varieties: flavored cheese with oregano, locoto (chilli pepper), fresh ricotta, and cheeses of various ages.
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LIQUEUR OF K'OA
K'oa is an endemic plant that grows spontaneously in the arid hills around Peñas, adapted to the harsh climate of the Bolivian plateau.
Traditional uses and benefits:
- Ancestral medicine: It is used in Andean communities for its digestive, anti-inflammatory, and warming properties. It is prepared in infusions to relieve stomach aches, coughs, and symptoms of soroche (altitude sickness).
- Culinary use: In highland cuisine, its aromatic leaves flavor fish soups, quinoa soups, and charque (dried meat) dishes.
- It has a ritual role in Andean ceremonies: burned as qh'oa (offering to Pachamama) or used in mesas (propitiatory altars).
