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From time to time I will include on my site interesting stories
that I have come across and this is one I hope you enjoy.
The Misti Legacy
By Miguel Paz
On February 14, 2003, I decided to make a reality my dream of
continuing the Alpaca tradition that my grandfather Alberto Palaco
started 80 years ago in the heart of the Peruvian Andean
mountains.
With great pride and enthusiasm my wife Lisa and I founded Misti
International Inc. Through our company we strive to bring to the
North American knitter our four-generation alpaca legacy as well as
the millenary textile tradition of ancient Peruvians.
The following is a brief account of my family's alpaca history that
resulted in the foundation of Misti International.
Grandfather Alberto and the Lanera Comercial Palaco Soto
Cattle Driving in the Mountains of Peru
From a very young age, my grandfather Alberto helped my great
grandfather Telésforo in his cattle business. They drove cattle
from the highlands to the coast in search of natural pastures
called "lomas"
These annual trips lasted several months. They crossed mountains,
valleys, rivers and deserts eating and sleeping outdoors. Great
grandfather Telésforo bought cattle mostly from Andean peasants. In
addition to cattle, these peasants also had other livestock such as
sheep, llamas, and alpacas.
Great grandfather Telésforo was not interested in fiber or other
livestock because he was a “cattle man”. But as grandfather Alberto
grew older he noticed that many peasants who lived in remote Andean
villages did not have a market for their wool and alpaca fiber. So
grandfather Alberto started to buy the fiber and to look for
markets in local cities.
My grandfather Alberto was self educated. He only had fourth
grade schooling. But he loved to read and learn and had an
extraordinary business sense. He spoke fluent Quechua (The language
of native Peruvians) and was born and raised in Puno, the main
alpaca region of Peru. Grandfather Alberto made great use of these
two advantages.
He started to compete with other Peruvian and European businessmen
who shared the same passion for the alpaca fiber and trade.
Nevertheless, many peasants had great respect for my grandfather
and often sold the fiber only to him. My grandfather spoke only
Quechua with them and understood and respected their own ways.
He purchased the fiber transported by peasants in large Llama
caravans. Some of these caravan trips took several days to reach
its final destination. The main collection center was the Andean
town of Nuńoa in Puno the heart of Alpaca country. This is also the
place were my mother Abigail was born
The annual sale of alpaca fiber and wool represented a large
portion of peasant's income. Many of them didn't want to receive
money for their precious fiber. They would rather barter for
supplies such as charki (a special kind of dry meat), chuńo (freeze
dried potatoes), salt, oil, coca leaves, etc.
This barter system was so common that my grandfather had a grocery
store in Nunoa to barter supplies for alpaca fiber. My grandmother
Alicia managed the store and also bartered supplies for gold
brought by peasants and miners.
The annual sale of alpaca fiber and wool represented a large
portion of peasant's income. Many of them didn't want to receive
money for their precious fiber. They would rather barter for
supplies such as charki (a special kind of dry meat), chuńo (freeze
dried potatoes), salt, oil, coca leaves, etc.
This barter system was so common that my grandfather had a grocery
store in Nunoa to barter supplies for alpaca fiber. My grandmother
Alicia managed the store and also bartered supplies for gold
brought by peasants and miners.
The annual sale of alpaca fiber and wool represented a large
portion of peasant's income. Many of them didn't want to receive
money for their precious fiber. They would rather barter for
supplies such as charki (a special kind of dry meat), chuńo (freeze
dried potatoes), salt, oil, coca leaves, etc.
This barter system was so common that my grandfather had a grocery
store in Nunoa to barter supplies for alpaca fiber. My grandmother
Alicia managed the store and also bartered supplies for gold
brought by peasants and miners.
As business grew, my grandfather saw that there was a high
demand for alpaca fiber in U.S. and European markets. He founded
the Lanera Comercial Palaco Soto to integrate in one organization
the local fiber procurement and the export activities.
The fiber purchased in the highlands was transported to the city of
Arequipa were it was classified, washed, and packed for export.
After 20 years in the business the Lanera Comercial Palaco Soto was
among the top exporters of alpaca fiber in the world. It's main
markets were England, Germany, and the U.S.
In addition to the trading business, my grandfather Alberto owned
over 20 haciendas (large farms) with thousands of Alpacas, llamas,
sheep and cattle.
All of my grandfather's children worked in the alpaca business one
way or another. My mother Abigail worked in the main office in
Requital. She was in charge of the record books and export
operations.
Today the family remains linked to the alpaca industry in all its
stages from raising alpacas to processing and marketing the alpaca
yarn. My cousins Pilar and Alicia own Alpaca farms in Puno raising
approximately 2,500 alpacas each. Cousin Alfonso owns a small plant
that washes the fiber and processes it into tops. My brother
Ricardo is the main buyer of alpaca fiber for one of the largest
manufactures in Peru and a Misti supplier. My brother Alejandro is
the warehouse manager of Misti in the U.S. and my Aunt Alicia, the
youngest of Alberto's children, is Misti regional sales
manager.
Since 2003 our company, Misti International, Inc., imports the
finest alpaca yarn directly from Peru for the enjoyment of the
North American knitter.
Arequipa the Alpaca Capital of the World
Some of my grandfather's competitors integrated their businesses
with yarn manufacturing operations. Nowadays, these factories are
the largest producers of Alpaca fiber in the world. The three
largest producers of alpaca yarn in Peru are suppliers of Misti
International.
The second and third generation descendants of my grandfather's
contemporaries have assumed strong leadership roles in their
companies. With great energy and creativity, the descendants of my
grandfather's great generation of pioneers are transforming their
companies into world-class organizations.
These businesses are located in the city of Arequipa, making it the
World center of Alpaca Fiber. Arequipa is also the city were I was
born and raised. Similar to the close friendship relationships that
my grandfather had with his counterparts, I have strong friendship
ties with today's owners and leaders of the most important alpaca
manufacturers in Peru.
We are united not only with our legacy and tradition that comes
from 3 generations started by our grandparents, but by a friendship
forged in our childhood and our shared passion and pride of being
Peruvian and Arequipenos. We are conscious that Peru has been
privileged with this magnificent creature that is the alpaca. The
fiber of alpaca is the pride of Peru, the gold of the Andes. We are
also conscious that we inherit the millenary weaving tradition of
ancient Peruvians, and are dedicated to bringing the finest alpaca
yarn to the world markets.
Through Misti International, with pride and humility, my wife Lisa
and I are continuing the legacy of my family and the cultural
tradition of Ancient Peru.
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