The Community of San Jose, Iruya, Salta

The community of San Jose is located on the side of a mountain next to Iruya where their ancestors developed terrace-agricultural techniques to provide the basic necessities to the community. The views are spectacular and the visitor is treated to the sounds of children playing the flute while ensuring that their goats and mules do not fall down the vertical precipices of the mountain. We are very fortunate to be accompanied to this little corner of paradise by Luis Aguilar.

Luis has won the confidence of the people of the area and has succeeded in constructing a modest lodging on one of the terraces. Little by little, he has been able to succeed in making small improvements to the difficult lives of the locals. One of his initiatives has been the construction of an aqueduct in order to extend the irrigation systems of the small farms in the dry season. The project has been supported by the School #11 of Moron, Buenos Aires, where Ricardo Aguilar, the brother of Luis, is a teacher. This connection has supported the creation of a brotherhood between the two communities. Many youth from Buenos Aires have traveled to San Jose in order to work and integrate themselves with the locals. Material has been donated by various businesses from the Buenos Aires area. Luis takes full advantage of each opportunity in order to contribute his experiences and resources to the benefit of the community and because of this.

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The Association of Weavers of Molinos- Molinos, Valleys Calchaquies, Salta

On the outskirts of the village of Molinos, the Cooperative of Weavers keeps the old tradition of loom-weaved ponchos alive, using sheep and Vicuna wool. The Vicuna wool is a highly coveted fabric, known for its fineness. The activity of the Cooperative is closely tied to the captive breeding of Vicunas, shy animals, which rarely come into close proximity of humans.

In the same building housing the headquarters of the Cooperative, a building with an interior patio reminiscent of convent architecture, lodging is offered to tourists. Visiting the Cooperative is an unforgettable experience as one is treated to stories about the history of the weavers and their rich cultural significance. Here, it is also possible to purchase beautiful weaved items such as ponchos and rugs with the added bonus of knowing that all of the money you spend will go directly to the producers.

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The Foundation Amautas de los Zazos, Amaicha del Valle, Tucuman

The community of Amaicha del Valle is found in the northeast part of the Province of Tucuman, between the Quilmes Mountains and the Calchaquies Valleys. Here we find the survivors of one of the most important groups of the Diaguita culture. The uniqueness of this group is found in the history of its relations with the Spanish Crown. In 1716, the group was recognized as an “indigenous community” and given legal title to its lands, a fact reconfirmed in 1753. In 1990, the government of Tucuman officially recognized the rights of this community to occupy their land. In this area, and more precisely in the neighborhood of Los Zazos, located four kilometers from the central plaza of Amaicha, the Foundation Amauta and the Eco-Museum Cultural School were founded with the help of Balbin Aguaysol in 1997.

The Amauta Foundation is an independent non-governmental organization, whose objective is to promote the participation of the people of Amaicha del Valle in social and community activities. The programs, based on the recuperation and conservation of cultural patrimony, encompass a wide range of subjects, integrating the official curriculum while also embracing and supporting creative endeavors. They work in a seminar format, encouraging group activities. The participation of the community in these educational activities provides the opportunity to improve understanding of the problems and finding solutions suitable to all. The Foundation promotes various cultural activities of interest to tourists like the “mother earth fiesta”, a community information centre, art expositions, forestry projects, etc….

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