ROGER MAMANI

Location: Lima, Peru
District: Puente Piedra
Province: Lima
Region: Lima

Puente Piedra, located in the northern area of Lima, is a district shaped by layers of history and transformation. Among its most distinctive features is a natural rock bridge, a formation that, according to local accounts, once facilitated the movement of the Inca army during the expansion of the Tahuantinsuyo—the vast territory of the Inca civilization.

Within this evolving urban landscape lives Roger, an artisan originally from Canchis, Cusco—a region deeply connected to Andean traditions and cultural heritage. Fifteen years ago, he migrated to Puente Piedra in search of better opportunities, carrying with him the knowledge and practices inherited from his family.

Roger learned the art of embroidery at a very young age, guided by his parents, who passed on the technique of maquinask’a—a form of machine embroidery that relies on the precision and control of the artisan’s hands. This early training laid the foundation for what would become both his profession and his means of preserving cultural identity.

Despite the distance from his place of origin, Roger has remained deeply connected to his roots. Through his work, he continues to express the visual language, symbols, and traditions of Cusco, adapting them to new contexts while maintaining their essence.

Today, embroidery is not only his main source of income but also a reflection of continuity—of knowledge that travels, transforms, and endures. His story represents the experience of many artisans who migrate yet remain anchored to their heritage, carrying their culture with them through every piece they create.