What are the traditions and clothing habits in Taquile Island in Peru?

Traditions and clothing habits in Taquile Island

On this little island in the heart of Titicaca Lake, clothing habits won’t change, because the way of living and the type of social relations won’t change neither. In fact, this is with clothes material, colors and forms that the habitants set their social status.

With regard to men, white and red cap is wearied by married men and red only for single men. The “mayor” or leader of the village wears a black felt cap. The different authorities can also wear multicolor caps decorated with white pearls that cover ears. Interesting detail on Taquile Island that is men who weave! (But with wool laddered by women…). 

For women, the ones who are married are wearing black clothes. Single women wear largest decoration on the bottom of their skirts.

The other unusual tradition of the region is “Siryinacuy”; since the Inca period, it is used that a young couple, before marry them, have to live during a few time in the same house, to test their ability to live together. In Taquile, Sirynacuy spends two years! If at the end of this 2 years, the couple stay together, then they can marry. On the contrary, if before two years, the couple break up, there is no problem and everyone can continue his life by his side... From its isolation in the center of the lake, Taquile Island achieved to keep almost all its traditional customs, from the high to the low evident ones.