Preserving Inca and Pre-Inca Heritage

Edgar Romaní Pauccar and Yovanna Champi Huamani have spent over 18 years creating Peruvian handmade jewelry under T’ampa Uma. Originally from Arequipa, Peru, their journey began as itinerant artists, traveling across towns, communities, and countries to exchange knowledge and immerse themselves in Peru’s ancient and living cultures. This exploration has deeply influenced their work, which connects the timeless legacy of Inca and Pre-Inca traditions with modern craftsmanship. As skilled goldsmiths now living and working in Lima, the couple tries to promote key values through their jewelry, including respect for Pachamama (mother earth), promoting cultural heritage and Peruvian identity through collective memory, and maintaining ancestral goldsmithing techniques.

Using techniques such as high and low relief repoussé, filigree, and stone inlay, Edgar and Yovanna transform silver, bronze, and copper into rings, bracelets, earrings, and more. Their process involves carefully handcrafting each piece, from the initial design sketch to the final polishing. They ensure every creation reflects the textures and patterns of Peru’s millennia-old artistic heritage. These pieces serve as a non-verbal medium to convey cultural identity, resonating deeply with wearers and fostering pride in Peru’s rich history.

While inspired by Incan and Pre-Incan designs, T’ampa Uma’s works do not simply copy historical pieces; instead, they present contemporary designs inspired by the languages ​​of nature and the history of ancient cultures.

Through T’ampa Uma, Edgar and Yovanna are sustaining Peru’s cultural jewelry techniques and bridging generations by making this forgotten heritage accessible to new audiences. Their work inspires individuals to embrace their roots, and many of their creations appear in red carpet-events, fashion shows, and music videos. They symbolize a proud connection to the past while making a striking visual statement in the present.