Hat Item Number: 3486/27 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A knitted cap (chullu) made primarily of commercially dyed, synthetic yarns. Figures include doves, hummingbirds, foxes, S-shapes, diamonds, zigzags and concentric squares, with a long chupan (tail).
This chullu, with its long chupan (tail) is typical of the Chinchero community. Knitting was introduced to the Andes after the Spanish Conquest. Knitting is more often done by men, particularly the chullus. Variations in colours, designs, and fineness in chullus, as well as additions, are used to signal differences in affiliation, age, gender, status, rank, etc. Knitting in the round is done on 5 needles that are often fashioned from bicycle spokes.
Bought by the donor in 1984 in Chinchero from Benita Gutierrez García, one of only a few people who still knew how to make the chullu at that time.
The cap was knitted in the round on five needles, with yarns retwisted on a drop spindle.