Often referred to as the fiber of the Gods, alpaca wool has quite the reputation in Peru and other South American countries. While the alpaca fibers have many great qualities, there are also a lot of myths about what they were used for in the past. Let’s see what is true about alpaca wool and what isn’t.
Alpacas were highly valued animals in pre-Inca and Inca times and their fiber was limited to royalty and important people. During and after the Spanish Conquista alpacas were used as pack animals and their fiber quality deteriorated. In the 60s (international) interest in the fiber increased.
Before living in Peru, I didn’t realize alpaca wool had such a rich and complex history. Called ‘the fiber of the gods,’ its story is full of fascinating facts and myths that reveal a deep cultural heritage: a history worth knowing.
Alpacas In Pre-Inca Times
Alpacas have a long history in the Andes. Initially hunted by early hunter-gatherer groups, they were domesticated around 5,500 years ago in Telarmachay, according to Thought Co.
Archaeological evidence shows that alpacas and llamas were often buried in graves, indicating their ritual sacrifice. For example, the Chiribaya people practiced such sacrifices and featured these animals in their tapestries and weavings (read more about this on Discover.)
Remarkably, alpaca fetuses have even been found beneath houses and important buildings, offered as blessings to Mother Earth.
MYTH or FACT!?
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Myth: The Inca were the first to use alpaca wool for textiles.
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Fact: While the Inca elevated alpaca fiber to a status symbol, earlier civilizations also valued it. In the Paracas region, textiles over 2,000 years old have been found that are believed to contain alpaca fiber, showing that the use of this material predates the Inca Empire by centuries.
Alpacas In Incan Times
During the Incan empire, alpaca wool likely reached its most prestigious status in history.
Despite their vast treasures of gold and silver, the Incas considered textiles among their most valuable possessions. According to Live Science, the Inca economy operated without currency or formal trade; instead, citizens received necessities from communal storehouses.
Textiles were powerful symbols of social status and religious significance. Receiving a piece of fabric was the highest form of honor (read more on Peru-Rail). Alpaca fabrics were reserved exclusively for the royal family and high government officials.
For this reason, only the most skilled weavers and artisans were permitted to work with alpaca wool. Successful soldiers were also awarded textiles, and when battles were lost, textile warehouses were burned to prevent their capture by enemies.
Alpacas were domesticated alongside llamas and guanacos. According to Thought Co., llamas descended from guanacos, while alpacas came from the more prized vicuñas. The Incas clearly distinguished their uses: alpacas for fine fleece and llamas as strong pack animals. Llamas, known for endurance and thirst tolerance, had coarser wool and were primarily beasts of burden.
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What’s the Difference? Though not as soft, llamas were equally appreciated for their own set of features. They’re strong animals that have great endurance and thirst tolerance. The perfect pack animals.
Archaeozoologist Jane Wheeler discovered that llama and alpaca fleeces found in burial sites were much softer than they are now, suggesting the Incas practiced advanced breeding techniques to enhance fiber quality.
Interestingly, despite the high quality of fiber from mummified alpacas, sacrificed animals were believed to have lower-quality fleece than those used for textiles. Sacrificing alpacas to the gods was a vital ritual. Different alpaca colors were sacrificed depending on the festivity or deity, with specific methods employed, all depending on the occasion.
MYTH or FACT!?
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Myth: The Incas valued their rulers more than their gods because the alpacas sacrificed in rituals had lower-quality fiber than those used for royal textiles.
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Fact: The difference in fiber quality reflects the distinct purposes of the animals, not a hierarchy of importance. Alpacas used for royal textiles symbolized status and wealth through their superior fiber, while sacrificed alpacas served a spiritual role in religious ceremonies. The value of the sacrifice lay in the act itself and symbolic meaning, not in the fiber quality. Therefore, the gods’ importance was not diminished by using lower-quality animals for rituals.
Alpacas In Spanish Times
The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors drastically altered the course of the Inca Empire. Led by Francisco Pizarro, the empire fell under Spanish control in 1533.
With gold and silver “up for grabs,” Pizarro and his men overlooked the value of alpacas and their fiber. As a result, the alpaca population sharply declined. Many alpacas were forced to work in mines, and the remaining population was decimated by diseases introduced by the Spanish.
Along with the loss of alpacas, indigenous farmers lost much of the wealth they had enjoyed under Inca rule. Alpaca breeders were left impoverished when their prosperous farming practices were dismantled by the colonizers (read more on Discover Magazine.)
MYTH or FACT!?
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Myth: The Spanish interbred alpacas and llamas deliberately because they didn’t care about preserving alpaca fiber quality.
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Fact: While alpaca fiber quality did decline during colonial times, it was not because the Spanish were indifferent. They likely valued the fiber but lacked the understanding and expertise needed to maintain traditional breeding practices. The interbreeding was probably accidental, stemming from disrupted herding systems rather than deliberate neglect.
Alpacas In Time of Terrorism
Between 1967 and 1992, Peru’s alpaca population declined, due to a combination of drought and targeted killings by the communist guerrilla group Sendero Luminoso. The Andean highlands were especially hard-hit.
Indigenous communities faced threats because of their resources (used to feed the military troops), and also because of their traditional beliefs and practices, which the Sendero Luminoso opposed (read more on Wikipedia.) Many indigenous people were massacred as warnings, and often falsely accused of guerrilla sympathies.
Caught in this brutal conflict, countless indigenous people were forced to flee their homes and traditions in the countryside, seeking safety in cities. Many alpacas were left behind or poorly cared for. This led to smaller, weaker herds, a loss of traditional breeding knowledge, and major economic setbacks for communities that relied on alpaca wool.
MYTH or FACT!?
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Myth: Exportation of live alpacas has been controlled and limited by the Sendero Luminoso to avoid the possibility that rebel forces could exploit alpaca trade as a source of informal funding.
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Fact: While alpaca export was prohibited for many years to protect Peru’s national heritage and genetic stock, the reasons behind this ban had little to do with the Sendero Luminoso. The conflict was more of a disruptive backdrop than a direct cause. The real policy shift on exports came later—after the worst of the violence had subsided in the 1990s—when the government had more capacity to act strategically.
Alpacas In Modern Times
Following the devastation caused by political violence in Peru, many Andean communities were left with little.
Even nowadays, life in the highlands remains difficult: access to basic services like education, running water, sewage systems, and electricity is still limited. This lack of development continues to drive migration from rural areas to urban centers.
A Divided Industry
Today, approximately 90% of alpaca farmers in Peru are smallholders, managing herds of just 10 to 150 alpacas. Many still use traditional methods dating back to the Inca period. While culturally significant, these practices are often inefficient, and the resulting fiber quality suffers—mainly due to inadequate nutrition, limited veterinary support, and insufficient training.
These smallholders also face structural challenges. Land reform policies have fragmented access to grazing areas, making it nearly impossible for many to scale up their operations. As a result, most small farmers operate at or below subsistence levels, with little room for reinvestment or innovation.
In contrast, a tiny minority (about 3% of alpaca farmers) own large-scale operations with herds exceeding 600 animals. These producers can afford modern technology, selective breeding programs, and better herd management, enabling them to significantly enhance fiber quality and profitability. The remaining 7% are mid-sized operations with 150–600 alpacas, straddling both worlds.
The Path Forward: Breeding, Science, and Global Reach
Alpaca farming is no longer confined to the Andean highlands. In recent decades, countries like the United States, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand have developed small but growing alpaca industries. This rising international demand for alpaca fiber has contributed to making the alpaca fiber more widely known and celebrated.
Scientific breeding programs and genetic research are at the heart of this progress. Advances in understanding the traits behind fineness, softness, and color variation are enabling breeders to gradually recover the exceptional fiber standards once achieved during the height of the Inca Empire.
Leading this transformation is Inca Tops, a Peruvian company that has been instrumental in elevating alpaca fiber to a globally recognized luxury material. Since its founding, Inca Tops has worked closely with breeders to improve alpaca genetics—selecting for superior fiber characteristics and investing in sustainable, long-term herd development.
Beyond genetics, Inca Tops has played a critical role in the globalization of alpaca wool, supplying high-end fashion houses and textile producers with consistently high-quality, ethically sourced fiber. Their innovations in processing, quality control, and farmer partnerships have not only raised international awareness but also created economic opportunities for small- and medium-scale herders in Peru.
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Curious to see the impact of this work firsthand? Check out Inca Tops to learn more about their role in transforming alpaca fiber globally.
I'm proud to partner with Inca Tops, because of the quality of their fiber, and because of the values they uphold. They represent the future of alpaca: one that is ethical, innovative, and globally connected, while still deeply rooted in Peru’s rich textile heritage.
MYTH or FACT!?
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Myth: Alpaca fiber is nearly impossible to find outside Peru, and what you do find lacks a modern look and feel.
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Fact: Alpaca is experiencing a global revival with fresh, stylish designs that combine tradition with a modern look and feel—making it accessible and desirable for everyday wear worldwide.
Don’t forget to explore my webshop to discover alpaca wool products that truly break the mold.
