Chicheras - The Makers Of Chicha

One of the most amazing facts surrounding the beautiful hand crafted pottery which is made in the village of Chulucana is its humble origins. It started with the Peruvian Government relocating "skilled" artisans to the region of a then recently discovered tomb. These artisans were charged with the task of replicating the ceramics found in the tomb. In so doing, it was hoped, they would recapture an ancient lost heritage of fine pottery making.

The artisans selected were a group of potters who made large, crude, clay vessels used for preparing a local alcoholic drink. This drink is named "Chicha". It is an alcohol drink similar to tequila, and is the native Indian drink of preference. It is prepared in large earthen pots by women referred to as "chicheras". The trail from crude earthen pots to fine ceramics of international renown has been a long and difficult one - one travelled primarily by trial and error, hard work, good luck, and, as the Chicheras say, with the blessings of the ancient Gods.

The today's Internationally renown potters of Chulucana show their respect for their humble origins as reflected in the line which they call "Chicheras" - which translates to "the makers of Chicha".

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