LAMAS
PERU
2022
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Folkloric capital of the Peruvian Amazon
Lamas, located in Northwestern Peru in the San Martín Region, is known as the “Folkloric Capital of the Peruvian Amazon” as it is home to the only Amazonian people of Andean origin that aim to keep their ancestral culture alive, through dances, rituals, clothing, festivals, language, architecture, and gastronomy.
Located between two important protected natural areas, Cordillera Azul National Park and Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area, Lamas has a great diversity of ecosystems and water-producing sources thus laying the foundations for a paradise of flora and fauna. Nature and Adventure Tourism is mainly about trekking to the native communities of Chunchiui and Chirikyacu, through trails that provide a deep immersive experience in the Amazon mountains.
The knowledge and practices of the Kichwa people of Lamas, namely the production of ceramics in the province, have been declared a “Cultural Heritage of the Nation”. Experiential and community tourism is also flourishing thanks to the Wayku community, where each group of artisans share their knowledge in ceramics, basketry, music, weaving with raw cotton and gastronomy. The experience aims to offer tourists a unique and enriching insight into the lives of the local community.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Mural City
The local government implemented the Project “Lamas, Mural City” with the aim of transmitting the essence of the culture and the history of Lamas to the community and visitors, in addition to beautifying the town. To do this, local and foreign artists were invited to paint their beautiful and colourful murals in the main streets. Urban art is being introduced to the village to enrich the overall touristic experience. The murals represent the traditions and ecosystem of the village.
Through a QR code tourists obtain information from the murals, as well as audio in Spanish, English and Quechua (mother tongue of the Lamista ethnic group).
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Reviving Gastronomy
In partnership with the National University of San Martín and Cesar Vallejo University, the “Mikunas, art of gastronomy of Lamas” project was presented to the MBA students of Nebrija University in Spain, who specialize in Tourism Business Management, with the aim of “reviving the Lamas gastronomy, in a sustainable way which also makes it a segment for tourism”.
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The collective brand “Warmi Awadora”
This craft is a business opportunity for the Lamista women and a means to preserve this knowledge. In this sense the collective brand “Warmi Awadora” has promoted the craftmanship of 46 indigenous women artisans from five Quechua communities of Lamas.
The brand has integrated the Chumbes, into their product development process. This ancient weaving tradition is renowned for its colourful waistbands. As a result, the original design has been used to produce a range of other products including belts, key rings, bags, pencil cases and cell phone holders which are sold through online catalogues and at regional fairs.
