Parobamba to Patacancha, dye garden success!
On Friday, April 1st, weaving project coordinator Jess, with volunteers Trish, Susan and Lauren traveled to Patacancha to survey the newly transplanted dye plants. The kinsa k'uchu plants are growing well, and some of the plants are already propogating the fungus used to create the spectrum of celeste and turquoise dyes found elsewhere in Peru.
Although kinsa k'uchu is native to Patacancha, as synthetic dyes came into popularity, the plant was largely ignored and overgrazed until no longer found in the region. The dream of kinsa k'uchu re-introduction started in 2009 and the journey began in October 2010 when Awamaki volunteers traveled seven hours in the back of a fruit truck to the village of Parabamba. The plants were harvested and re-potted under the supervision of master dyer and weaver Daniel Soncco. In March, after months of intensive care, the nearly 2000 kinsa k'uchu plants were deemed ready to travel, and, after narrowly escaping a slide down the mountain during heavy rains, arrived in Patacancha safe and sound. Planted about a yard apart in areas designated for growing food crops (not grazing!), the plants are set to spread and will once again become an abundant source of natural blue dye for the weavers of Patacancha. It is estimated that within two years our weavers will be able to sustainably harvest the plants in small quantities as a dye material.