It's inevitable with globalisation, that the world's once diverse cultures are becoming more similar. In nearly every country around the world, people wear the same brand name, stare at the same iPhones and drive the same cars. While with this comes many benefits, it can also pose a threat to indigenous cultures and traditions. Mass tourism can also threaten the survival of unique cultures if not undertaken responsibly.
Insight Vacations, one of the world’s leading luxury travel companies, has partnered with the TreadRight Foundation to preserve some of the world’s most precious ancient cultures. We take a look at how centuries-old traditions are being preserved today.
PER
UVIAN WEAVING
Situated high in the Peruvian Andes, Chinchero is home to the descendants of the Incas who were known for their advanced weaving techniques. While men traditionally worked the land, women tended to the children, cooked and weaved. Weaving was highly symbolic and passed on from mother to daughter with distinct patterns and colours representing different regions. In recent times, traditional weaving started to waver, however thanks to the ingenuity of weaver Nilda Callanaupa – founder and director of the Centre for Traditional Textiles in Cusco (CTTC) – the art has been consolidated and revived. Since starting the centre with just a small group of weavers, it has since grown to a network of 500 multigenerational weavers. In addition to preserving an invaluable skill, the centre also provides a much-needed economic benefit to the local women.
INDIGENOUS BOOT-MAKING IN CANADA
Started by the Manitobah Mukluks brand, the Storyboot Project is bringing back the ancient art of mukluk-and-moccasin-making - cold-weather shoes that were originally crafted and 
worn by the Inuit and Yupik people. With the help of the Storyboot Project, local artisans are preserving this fine art by practicing their skills, passing on sacred knowledge and accessing a global online marketplace. An indigenous shoemaker offers weekly training sessions at The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto where local students and visitors can learn how to make their very own boots. Tradition states that every bead the artisan adds to a Mukluk is added with positive thoughts.
TEXTILE TRADITIONS IN LAOS
With strong cultural significance in Laos, the age-old weaving and embroidery skills of textile production have been passed down through the generations. While globalisation has threatened the survival of this fine skill, The Village Weavers Project offers support to rural weavers by connecting them to global markets. This is life-saving for previously disadvantaged women who are now able to earn a decent income and send their children to school.
HAND-WEAVING IN ITALY
Inspired by the medieval and renaissance textile traditions of Italy, the Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti is one of the few remaining traditional frame-hand weaving workshops left in Italy. Rural households have been characterised by the gentle whirring sounds of looms for centuries, as women spent hours weaving a variety of beautiful textiles as their daughters watched on and learnt. Teacher Giuditta Brozzetti founded the Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti in 1921. Today it's run by Giuditta’s great granddaughter as a weaving hub and workshop in the heart of medieval Perugia.
As a global leader in luxury escorted travel, Insight Vacations has been mastering the art of crafting magical journeys for close to 40 years. Through meticulous planning, detailed preparation and boundless passion, Insight’s collection of award-winning itineraries showcases the world’s most outstanding destinations. Guided by a highly-skilled Travel Director, guests can look forward to traveling and staying in luxurious style, savoring authentic dining and enjoying a range of immersive Insight Experiences. To find out how you can see one of these incredible projects in action on an Insight Vacations itinerary, contact your nearest Phil Hoffmann Travel branch.
Source: Insight Vacations
