Chuaña (Huanca)

Chuaña is a word from the Huanca Quechua language. It refers to a specific type of small, traditional clay oven used in the Huancayo region of Peru. These ovens are typically dome-shaped and used for baking bread, roasting meats, and cooking other traditional Andean dishes. The chuaña is an important part of the culinary heritage of the Huanca people and reflects their connection to the land and traditional cooking methods. While modern ovens are increasingly common, the chuaña continues to be used in many rural communities.