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Narrative

Purchased by donor in Sucre in 1983, at the shop of Elizabeth Rojas.

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.

Specific Techniques

Diamond-shaped motifs are woven in complementary warp weave. Stripes on back are done in plain weave; horizontal and vertical stripes woven depending on the colour order of the warps.

Description

Coca leaf bag (chuspa) with two small pockets woven into one face, a woven carrying strap, and decorative pompoms. Diamond-shaped motifs in off-white against a red background cover the front of the bag, continuing into the vertical bands at the centre in burgundy, vibrant orange, and green. The patterning on the bands is continued along the two pockets on the front that are finished with yellow edging and bundles of small pompoms on thread-wrapped stems attached to the bottom. Larger versions of the pompoms are attached on the bottom corners and at the centre of the bottom of the bag. The back of the bag is covered in horizontal and vertical stripes in red, burgundy, orange, green, and yellow, separated by thin off-white stripes, with a horizontal band across the top with a vine motif. The woven edging (ribetes) on the side seams of the bag features a diamond motif in green and off-white against an orange background. The carrying strap has a zigzag and dot motif in off-white against a green, orange, and burgundy.