Diaguita Nation's Technique of Vicuña Shrieking in Argentina
On Biodiversity Day, we celebrate the chaku tradition in La Angostura, Catamarca province (Argentina). This Indigenous practice promotes nature conservation while serving as a crucial source of economic income.
First, the younger men, skilled and strong, round up the vicuñas, utilizing watering sites as strategic points. Gradually, the men gather a substantial herd, which is later enclosed by women and children using nets, posts, and special "chimpeada" ropes adorned with ribbons. These portable corrals ensure the vicuñas are enclosed for two days prior to shearing, reducing stress during the procedure.
The actual shearing work is called "chaku." For this, all necessary tools are prepared in advance, and people organize into work groups. One group focuses on herding and taking the vicuñas to the shearing zone, while another group blindfolds the animal before shearing. Once the vicuña is shorn, a third group releases it. The obtained fiber is weighed, recorded, and later used to create luxurious vicuña ponchos, blankets, gloves, and scarves.
The entire community partakes in the chaku, from children to elders. This is due to the variety of activities involved and the community's active participation. Additionally, visitors from nearby areas and even tourists arrive. Finally, a community lunch is held as part of a regional products fair, showcasing garments made from vicuña fiber.
The vicuña holds great value for Andean peoples, particularly the Indigenous Peoples of Catamarca's puna, where La Angostura community resides. Ancient Diaguita nation customs revolve around rounding up and shearing vicuñas at specific times to ensure the fiber can be utilized without harming the animals. This sustainable management approach contrasts with overhunting and near-extinction in other regions. The Diaguita nation, through conservation efforts and collaboration with public organizations, has successively boosted the species' population.
Chaku presents an essential economic opportunity for the Indigenous population in the Villa Vil district. As an alternative to surrendering to mining, they face various operations initiated by the provincial state which may threaten water, biodiversity, agriculture, and the Diaguita nation's traditional ways of life.
In 2024, the Earth Guardians Fund (KOEF) sponsored a project to upgrade the chaku in La Angostura, integrating mechanical tools that help reduce shearing time, lessen stress on animals, and produce high-quality fiber. The project was carried out by the community and involved neighboring localities at certain stages.
Chaku represents the union of cultural heritage, sustainable resource management, and economic empowerment. A ceremonious practice deeply intertwined with the Diaguita Nation, it demonstrates the potential of preserving both indigenous knowledge and the environment.
Cultural Significance: Rooted in the heritage of the Diaguita Nation, chaku showcases centuries-old knowledge in herding and shearing vicuñas. The process involves specific roles for community members, with young men herding the vicuñas, women and children assisting with corralling, and everyone contributing on shearing day. The organization and teamwork during chaku underscore the cohesion and cultural pride within the community.
Economic Impact: The shearing process provides a significant economic boost to local livelihoods, as vicuña wool is one of the world's most expensive natural fibers due to its rarity and quality. Chaku supports the local textile industry, with community members creating beautiful garments from the precious wool.
Conservation Practices: Chaku exemplifies sustainable management of wild vicuña populations. The practice relies on traditional knowledge to ensure minimal stress and harm to the animals. By integrating conservation into economic activity, communities promote the preservation of both vicuña populations and the broader ecosystem. This approach is particularly important given the vicuña’s previous status as an endangered species due to overhunting and habitat loss.
- The Earth Guardians Fund (KOEF)'s 2024 project aimed to modernize the chaku process in La Angostura, incorporating mechanical tools that not only decrease shearing time and animal stress but also improve the quality of the fiber.
- The luxury garments made from vicuña fiber, such as ponchos, blankets, gloves, and scarves, have a high demand in the fashion-and-beauty industry, providing a lucrative source of income for the Indigenous population.
- As the Diaguita Nation continues their efforts in conservation and collaboration with public organizations, they strengthen their environmental-science knowledge and demonstrate the potential for preserving both indigenous wisdom and the natural environment while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle in home-and-garden settings.
