Coca Bag Item Number: 3486/61 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Coca leaf bag (chuspa) with a woven carrying strap, woven edgings (ribetes) covering seams and edges, and three groups of bud-like tassels on the lower edge. The design is split into three vertical decorative bands separated by wide solid greyish-brown bands. The decorative band at the centre has the name ‘Francisco’ in off-white against a background in shades of pink, flanked by thin stripes arranged to form an ombre in blue, yellow, orange, and red. The two other decorative bands have the name ‘Ccamatru’ in off-white against a blue background, flanked by stripes arranged in a similar ombre in green, yellow, and pink. A zigzag motif appears in the edging (ribetes) in shades of pink, light-brown, grey, and blue. The carrying strap has a chevron pattern in pink, red, off-white, and brown. The muli-coloured tassels are attached on the two bottom corners and at the centre of the bottom in groupings of three.
Different types of Andean bags (bolsas, generic term, Spanish) have different names and characteristics. Square or rectangular bags used by men to carry coca leaves are called “chuspa”. Some of these have small pockets woven into one face for carrying the llipt’a (lime-ash substance that releases the alkaloids when chewed with the leaves). Some have straps and are worn around the waist or shoulder.
Purchased by donor in Sucre in 1983, at the shop of Elizabeth Rojas.
Name woven in a complementary warp weave.