Q'ero Collection

One of a kind - traditional handwoven textiles by the mystical Q’ero people, designed as sacred pillow cases for ceremony, meditation and to adorn your space. Made from original Llikllas -prayer cloths -mantas of 100% pure natural Alpaca, used traditionally as cloths for ceremonial offerings.

Adorned with antique beaded and woven strings and pom-poms dyed with local plants. On the reverse side is the purest, softest baby alpaca to rest your head.

THE PILLOW CASES

This very special, sacred collection of one-of-a-kind pillow cases are made with textiles handwoven by Master Q’ero weavers from original Llikllas. (Prayer Cloths or Mantas)

100% pure Natural Alpaca, each piece is adorned with antique ceremonial strings and pom-poms. All coloured materials and trimmings are dyed with local plants and on the reverse side is the purest, softest baby alpaca to rest your head. The pillow cases are sewn and finished by local communities in the town of Pisaq in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, Peru.

The Textiles carry the prayers, the energy, and the intention of the Q'ero and can be used either ceremonially or decoratively.

TO SHOP

Simply click on the unique pillowcase of your choice and add it to the cart.

No discounts apply to the sale of these pillowcases at this time, as proceeds are being raised to uplift and support the Q’ero artisans who create these unique textiles.

* PRICING INCLUDES $20 SHIPPING.
* DOES NOT INCLUDE PILLOW INSERTS.

THE MESSAGE

Peru has been one of the hardest-hit countries in the world due to the global pandemic. The travel ban has particularly impacted these small, remote communities making them even more isolated. With your support, we are able to bring a portion of the profits from your purchases directly to the artisans, families, and the surrounding communities.

We thank you for supporting traditional culture and livelihood that inspires us to create our Perfumera Curandera essences with the same intentions of Reciprocity/ Ayni - by giving back to these indigenous communities.

THE PROCESS

The Q'eros are Master Weavers. It takes up to 6 months to weave a traditional Prayer cloth or Altar manta, known as Lliklla (Quechua name for Manta). From the beginning of the process of raising and tending their Alpacas - hand spinning the sheared yarn - making vegetable dyes derived from local plants, to weaving the handmade yarn into finely woven, ceremonial cloths used for sacred offerings.

Intimately connected with the nature of the Universe they imbue these cloths with intention and prayer while weaving. They use the cloths to create elaborate offerings for the Great Mother Pachamama to give Gratitude for the Abundance of Nature, as a means to ask for protection - and to ensure healthy harvests and healthy animals, and above all to keep the worlds in balance whilst appeasing the mountain Deities known as Apus, and the elements of Nature such as thunder and lightning.

Traditional representations of Andean Cosmology, symbolizing the three Pachas represent the 3 worlds, The upper- Celestial and Cosmos, the Middle - Men and Animals, and the Lower- Death and Ancestors. Inti- represents Father Sun - the ruler of everything, and the Andean Cross known as Chakana is a symbol of the Upper, Middle, and Lower worlds.

THE PEOPLE

The Q'ero Nation are the indigenous descendants of the Inka who escaped invasion by the Spanish conquistadors and have managed to keep their culture intact through the ages. Living in the remote Peruvian Andes at very high altitudes of 14,000ft in small communities they are very mystical people who live in total connection with nature. Raising and shepherding llamas and alpacas as their main source of survival - their ancient wisdom has been passed down orally for generations living in connection to Pachamama -the Great Cosmic Mother - Beloved Earth Mother venerated through their ceremonies and practice of Despacho Offerings that to the sacred Apu's (Mountains ) who they consider to be embodiments of Deities. Q'ero’s main tenents of Ayni/Reciprocity are intrinsic to cultivating right relationship, harmony, and balance with everything. The main focus of their communal life is to help each other and honour Mother Earth and the Cosmos.