On the northern coast of Peru, just outside the city of Trujillo, Huanchaco has long been known for a quiet, powerful image: fishermen riding the waves on caballitos de totora, reed boats used in Peru for centuries. For communities that live by the sea, totora is part of their daily life, history, and identity.
A recent initiative called Made in Huanchaco is helping bring that ancestral craft into new settings, creating a collection of furniture made entirely from totora and shaped by local artisans’ hands. The project focuses on giving visibility to a tradition passed down from generation to generation, but, like many forms of craftsmanship, has struggled to remain present in modern conversations.
The project, developed with the support of Corona as part of a broader cultural initiative, focuses on giving visibility to a tradition passed down from generation to generation, but, like many forms of craftsmanship, has struggled to remain present in modern conversations.
The work is led by master artisan Agustín Piminchumo, a respected figure in Huanchaco known for his deep knowledge of totora weaving. Together with a small team of artisans, he oversaw the creation of each piece, applying techniques such as harvesting, drying, weaving, and hand-assembling reeds. The process also involved local toreros, who care for the wetlands where the plant grows, reinforcing the strong connection between the craft, the landscape, and the people who depend on both.
The designs take inspiration from the caballito de totora itself, an icon of the Peruvian coast and a symbol of continuity. Traditionally used for fishing, the reed has been part of everyday life here for centuries. What this initiative proposes is a simple shift in perspective: seeing totora not only as a functional material of the past, but as something that can exist in contemporary spaces without losing its cultural meaning.
By placing these pieces in restaurants and gathering spaces across the country, the project allows a wider audience to encounter the story behind the material. For many visitors, Huanchaco is already a stop along the journey through northern Peru. Understanding the role totora plays in the community’s life adds a deeper layer to that experience.
Made in Huanchaco is a reminder that some of the country’s oldest traditions are still alive, still evolving, and still tied to the people who continue to protect them.
