Nilda Callañaupa

Quechua weaver and advocate for indigenous women's economic empowerment in the Andes

Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez (born 1965) is a Peruvian textile artist and founder of the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco, which transformed Andean weaving into a sustainable livelihood for Quechua women. Her initiatives have enabled over 600 artisans to triple their incomes while preserving ancestral techniques. Since 2015, her programs have trained 3,000+ women in fair-trade practices and cultural preservation.

Callañaupa revived the ancient backstrap loom weaving methods threatened by industrial textiles. Her cooperative model ensures 100% of profits go to weavers, who previously received only 5% from middlemen. She established weaving schools in remote communities like Chinchero, where women now earn $150/month - triple the regional average. Her textiles appear in major museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In 2018 she launched the Indigenous Women's Leadership Program, teaching financial management and marketing. Her work was recognized by the National Geographic Society and featured in the exhibit Textiles of the Andes. Read her story in Weaving Culture, a book documenting her revival efforts. Learn more at CTTC's website.