History of alpaca

Alpacas are members of the Camelid family from South America where they are farmed, mainly in Peru, Chile and Bolivia. They have been domesticated for over 5,000 years and were highly prized by the Incas. Their fleece was known as the "other gold" and provided luxurious clothing reserved for royalty. Originally alpacas were grazed on the lowlands in well organised breeding regimes, but during the Spanish conquest, they were displaced by sheep and cattle and driven with the peasants to the high altitude of the Altiplano of the Andes.

The strict breeding regimes were then lost and alpacas were free to roam at will which caused the decline in the quality. However they were able to survive the extreme conditions where other domesticated animals would perish.

It was not until the 20th Century that alpacas would again be farmed within controlled breeding programs.

Alpaca

Evolution of alpaca

The ancestors of alpaca orginated in North America.  Migration to the north across the bering bridge they evolved into the moden camel.  While migration to the south evolved into the South American Camelids; alpaca, llama, vicuna, and guanaco.

History of suri

Suri are a breed of alpaca originating from the Nunoa Valley in Peru. Before 1500AD and the Spanish Invasion of South America, suri were farmed with strict practices by the Inca where breeding was highly organised. Fleece from suri was reserved for Royalty only.

After the invasion interrupted life in Peru, the art of breeding was lost and suri, along with other alpaca, were scattered and displaced by sheep and cattle. Their value was unrecognised by the invading Spaniards.

It was not until 60 years ago in the 1950's that the quality of suri was once again recognised by some forward thinking breeders in Peru, such as Don Julio Barreda at Accoyo, and organised breeding was once again established.

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