Belt Item Number: 3486/111 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Belt (chumpi) that repeats the design called “loraypu” in the centre band, flanked by “hakaku sisan” in the lateral bands. The ends are finished in braids that are fastened together.
Belts of different types are used by men, women, and children, and some have special names. Most belts are called chumpi (Quechua) or cinterone (Spanish). Some belts are associated with pregnant women and their babies, where they are used to fasten the swaddling cloths around the infant. Belts for children are usually smaller in size. In some areas, very wide belts are worn with a stiff underbelt, which acts as a back support. Belts in Andean villages are usually made on a continuous warp and the last few inches are finished by braiding. A wide variety of techniques are used to pattern the belts. The imagery woven on belts is usually drawn from a set of geometric and figurative icons that are combined in ways that are distinctive of a particular community.
The name loraypu is used for diamond-shapes in different domains: plant leaves, patterns in roof thatching or elsewhere. Sisan can refer to the central part of a flower taken together, while hakaku is the name of a bird.
Acquired by the donor at the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cuzco in 2004.
Woven in a complementary warp weave. The reversible technique is called “doble cara” (double-faced) by the weavers. Yarns are naturally dyed.