Lambayeque crafts heritage into new business opportunities
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In the Lambayeque region of Peru, artisan Mari Carolina Reaño Sánchez created a collection of amigurumi, small knitted or crocheted toys, depicting iconic figures from the region’s cultural history.
Her collection, “Esencia ancestral: tejiendo nuestra cultura lambayecana” (Ancestral Essence: Weaving Our Lambayeque Culture), won first place in the innovation category of the XIII National Craft Design Award of Peru.
Reaño’s work brings archaeological and museum figures like the Lord of Sipán, the Priestess of Chornancap, and the Warrior Priest to life in a contemporary, handmade form. She intends to connect younger generations with Lambayeque’s history and identity through her craft. The collection is currently on display at a temporary exhibition held at the Decentralized Culture Directorate of Lambayeque in Chiclayo, where it will remain until September 15.
The exhibition features not only Reaño’s award-winning pieces, but also works from other Lambayeque artisans who share their knowledge, traditions, and customs. Reaño explained that each piece is made by hand with cotton thread and takes about a day to create, though more complex designs require additional time. She started Marigumi six years ago, initially making simple knitted dolls, but later shifted her focus to using crafts to preserve cultural memory and promote the history of Lambayeque.
