Proceso de Lana: Playing Andean culture through board games

Andean culture and folklore is an interesting topic that should be explored and valued by other cultures. Unfortunately, it is difficult to explain the intricacies of the differences between the culture of the Andean people and that of people in the United States to young people. In an effort to bridge the gap, a game called Proceso de Lana was designed to provide an opportunity to role-play as a member of an Andean village as they process wool, weave it into textiles, and sell it at the market. The board game’s design seeks to convey various Andean concepts such as reciprocity and cooperative labour in what appears on its face to be a traditional competitive game. Players learn about the Andean culture and folklore, while gaining an appreciation for Andean world-view and lifeways.