In the Region of Puno the handcraft and clothing designs closely reflect the ancient practices of the Incas and previous civilizations from the area such as the Tiahuanaco people, the Pucara people, and the people from small ancient kingdoms which had formed around Lake Titicaca. For instance, the ceramics known as "Toritos de Pucara" - Bulls of Pucara - are a tradition from the town of Pucara. The locals state that this tradition started as a payment to the "Pachamama" - Mother Earth - with the belief that who ever placed these two bulls on the root of his house would be blessed with happiness, protection, and health.

The cities of Puno and Juliaca hove several handcraft and clothing markets where locals and foreigners canpurchase products elaborately made by locals. The quality of the cloth made out of alpaca, llama, or vicuña is not as good as the cloth produced in factories located in Arequipa, but the prices in these cities are substantially lower and buyers are supporting the local economy.