Coca Bag

Item number 3486/62 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Coca leaf bag (chuspa) with woven strap, tubular edgings (ribetes) on seams and edges, and small tassels on the lower corners of the bag. Central design panel repeats pairs of birds with a small bird between them in pink and light green on an off-white background. The panels at the side repeat birds on one face and butterflies(?) on the other face in alternating pink and blue on an off-white background. The bands with animal motifs are separated by thin bands in off-white with a repeating diamond motif in pink and green, bordered by pink, brown, and off-white stripes. Two woven straps in red, green, and pink are connected to the top corners, and tied in a knot at the top. The tubular edging (ribetes) has a repeating oval motif in orange and off-white against a dark red background, and pink and off-white against a pale green background.

History Of Use

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.