Dance Sling Item Number: 3486/40 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A dance sling (wichi wichi) consisting of a main braid and one secondary braids with tassels. The main braid is solid and has varied geometric diamond motifs throughout in black, brown, beige, and white, attached to a finger-woven pocket. The pocket has a triangular geometric motif in light magenta, off-white, navy blue, grey, and light purple, with remains of vibrant tassels along the edges. The main braid ends with two tassels in red and deep purple. Looped around the main braid is an additional braid that is unfixed with three large tassels in red, purple, and off-white, ending with four smaller tassels in red, pink, green, and light purple. Attached to the other end of the pocket is the secondary braid with a black, brown, beige, and grey chevron motif.
Different types of slings are used for different purposes in the Andes. Some are used for hunting or herding, but another type is used as a dance accessory. In the Cusco region, the type that has a small vestigial cradle and many colorful tassels attached near one end of the braid (in Quechua, called a 'wichi wichi'), is used as a dance sling. Sometimes secondary braids with many tassels are suspended from the main braid, and these are worn across the chest or around the waist, with the tassels mainly hanging below the waist. Another type of dance sling, which incorporates pieces of camelid pelt, is used in the Puno area by men and women in the wiphala dance, a dance that ensures success in hunting.
Sling handles are usually made as solid braids, a technique that is done by holding the braid in one’s fist and crossing threads from the four quadrants across the crown of the braid. Variations in colour, slant, and sequence in the crossing threads produce a variety of diamond or oblique patterns.
Purchased by donor between 1982 and 1984 in Cuzco area, where it was likely made and used.