Hat Item Number: 3486/32 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Black crocheted cap (jokollo) with a small brim on the front, ear flaps, and a long triangular panel attached to the back in the neck area. The natural sheep and camelid fibre cap has off-white edging and synthetic embroidery decorating the front. The brim has a deep red border with a repeating pattern of small segments of yellow, white, vibrant pink and bright orange. A triangular geometric design is embroidered on the brim with the same wool as the edging. The main design embroidered on the centre on the front of the cap features a plant with multi-coloured leaves and a yellow flower between two colour-blocked circular motifs. The plant and circles are contained in a pink and yellow rectangular border decorated with thin ovals resembling leaves, arranged to form a partial rainbow ombre from the bottom corners around to the centre of the top. The ombre moves through shades of deep red, to orange, then yellow, ending with green on the right side and pink on the left side. The cap also includes an extended off-white and red tassel on the top.
Knitting and crochet were introduced to the Andes after the Spanish Conquest. Distinctive crocheted caps are made in the Tarabuco region of Bolivia. This type of cap is called jokollo in the Tarabuco area, which means tadpole, referring to the long tail on the cap. It is worn by children or young people who, like the tadpole, are immature versions of adults.
Bought by the donor in 1983 in Pampa Lupiera, on the altiplano above Candelaria in the Tarabuco region of Bolivia.