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Taquile is an island on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca 45 km
offshore from the city of Puno. About 1,700 people live on the island,
which is 5.5 by 1.6 km in size (maximum measurements), with an area of
5.72 km². The highest point of the island is 4050 meters above sea level
and the main village is at 3950 m. The inhabitants, known as Taquileños,
are southern Quechua speakers.
Taquile, whose Quechua name some believe was Intika, was part of the
Inca Empire and has a number of Inca ruins. The island was one of the
last locations in Peru to
capitulate to Spanish domination during the Spanish conquest of Peru. It
was captured for Carlos V and eventually passed to Count Rodrigo of
Taquila, after whom the island was named by colonists. As the Spanish
forbade traditional dress, the islanders adopted the Spanish peasant
clothing. They are known for maintaining that as traditional dress
today. They combine this with finely made Andean-style garments and
accessories (ponchos, belts, mantles, coca-leaf purses, and others).
Taquileños run their society based on community collectivism and on the
Inca moral code ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhilla, (Quechua for "do not
steal, do not lie, do not be lazy"). The island is divided into six
sectors or suyus for crop rotation purposes. The economy is based on
fishing, terraced farming horticulture based on potato cultivation, and
tourist-generated income from the approximately 40,000 tourists who
visit each year.
Taquileños are known for their fine handwoven textiles and clothing,
which are regarded as among the highest-quality handicrafts in Peru.
Everyone on the island - children, women, and men - spins and weaves.
Taquileans also are known for having created an innovative,
community-controlled tourism model, offering homestays, transportation,
and restaurants to tourists. Taquileans have lost control of
transportation to and from their island. Although they still benefit by
selling textiles and providing meals, they have almost no control over
the mass day-tourism operated by non-Taquileans. Taquileans are
developing alternative tourism models, including lodging for groups, and
local guides, who have recently completed a 2-year training program.
Taquile has a radio station and is equipped with generators, although
islanders have elected not to use them in favour of solar panels. The
island has the curious distinction of being free of dogs.
In 2005, "Taquile and Its Textile Art" were honored by being proclaimed
"Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by
UNESCO. |
