Taquile Island facts for kids
Taquile from Amantaní island
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lake Titicaca |
| Area | 5.72 km2 (2.21 sq mi) |
| Highest point | 4.050 |
| Administration | |
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Peru
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| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Taquileño |
| Population | about 2200 |
| Ethnic groups | Quechua |
Taquile (also called Isla de Taquile in Spanish or Intika in Quechua) is a special island in Lake Titicaca, Peru. It is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) away from the city of Puno. Around 2,200 people live on this island.
The island is about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) long and 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) wide, covering an area of 5.72 square kilometers (2.21 square miles). The highest point on Taquile is 4,050 meters (13,287 feet) above sea level. The main village sits a bit lower, at 3,950 meters (12,959 feet). The people who live here are called Taquileños, and they speak a language called Puno Quechua.
In 2005, something very important happened. The "Taquile and Its Textile Art" was recognized by UNESCO. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that helps protect important cultural and natural sites around the world. They called Taquile's textiles "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". This means their weaving traditions are very special and worth preserving.
Contents
Amazing Textiles and Weaving
The Taquileños are famous for their beautiful handicrafts, especially their textiles and clothing. These are considered some of the best in all of Peru.
- Knitting: Only the men on Taquile do the knitting. They start learning this skill when they are very young boys.
- Spinning and Dyeing: Women are in charge of spinning the wool. They also use natural things like vegetables and minerals to create colorful dyes for the wool.
- Weaving: Women also weave special wide belts called Chumpis. Everyone in the Taquile community wears these belts, which have unique woven designs.
Tourism and Community Life
The people of Taquile have created a unique way to welcome visitors. They have a special model for sustainable tourism that is controlled by their own community. This means they manage everything themselves.
- They offer home stays, where visitors can live with local families.
- They arrange transportation and lodging for groups.
- They provide local guides to show visitors around.
- They have their own restaurants serving traditional food.
Tourism started on Taquile in the 1970s. Over time, the Taquileños began to lose some control over the many day-trippers who came from outside their community. To get back control, the Taquile community started their own travel agency called Munay Taquile. You can find more about them at [1].
How Taquile Society Works
The Taquileños run their society based on community cooperation. They follow an old Inca moral code: ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhilla. In the Quechua language, this means "do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy."
- Farming: The island is divided into six areas called suyus. These areas are used for rotating crops, which helps keep the soil healthy.
- Economy: The island's economy relies on fishing, terraced farming (especially potatoes), and money from the many tourists. About 40,000 tourists visit Taquile every year.
- Animals: Taquile families often own rams, sheep, cows, chickens, and sometimes even guinea pigs.
What to Eat on Taquile
Taquile offers many traditional dishes.
- Breakfast: Usually includes two pancakes with sugar or bread with eggs. People drink a cup of tea made from local plants like Muña or Coca.
- Lunch: A typical lunch might be vegetable soup, fish with rice, and a fresh tomato and onion salad.
- Dinner: For dinner, the Taquilean people often serve vegetable soup with bread.
Beliefs and Traditions
Most people on Taquile are Catholic. However, they have blended this religion with their traditional Andean religion. This mix of beliefs is called syncretism.
- Pachamama: The most important Andean god is the mother earth, called Pachamama. People believe she controls harvests and how fertile the land is.
- Apus: The island also has four Apus, which are mountain gods in Andean beliefs. People make special offerings to these gods every year. Before any activity or trip, they offer three coca leaves.
- Festivals: God is celebrated throughout the year with many festivals. There are two Catholic churches on the island, in Centre and Huayllano. There is also a Seventh-day Adventist church in Huayrapata.
Island Infrastructure
Taquile has a radio station. The islanders have chosen to use solar panels to create their electricity. This is a great way to get clean energy.
Plants on the Island
The island has many interesting plants and trees.
- Kolle: This tree is used to build roofs for houses and for firewood.
- Cantuta: This is a beautiful flower and is the national flower of Peru.
- Chukjo: This plant is used as a natural detergent for washing.
- Muña: This plant is used for natural medicines.
- Coca leaves: It's important to know that coca leaves are not grown on Taquile.
Images for kids
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A festival on Taquile
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The annual Fiesta de Santiago
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A woman spinning wool on Taquile
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Children of Taquile near Lake Titicaca
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The Arch leading to the main square of the island
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Banks of Lake Titicaca
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See Also
In Spanish: Taquile para niños
- Iperu, tourist information and assistance
- Tourism in Peru
External Links
- Munay Taquile, a travel agency run by the people of Taquile Island.
