Photographer Stefan Ruiz traveled to Peru on assignment for T Magazine, capturing the story of amaranth—known as kiwicha in Quechua—a grain with deep cultural and historical roots in the Andes. For thousands of years, Andean communities have cultivated this protein-rich plant, a tradition that persisted despite its prohibition during the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Today, kiwicha remains an essential part of small Andean communities like San Salvador.
These images were part of T Magazine’s Travel issue, and celebrate the resilience of Andean traditions through flowers and the people who sustain them.
