Coca Bag Item Number: 3486/64 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Coca leaf bag (chuspa) with woven strap, tubular woven edgings (ribetes) on seams and edges, and a tasseled fringe on the bottom of the bag. Both faces have diamond-based designs with jagged outlines and interior motifs of potato flowers (papa tika) on one face.
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.
The figures are woven in a 2-colour supplementary warp weave, a technique called “ley” in the Cuzco area.
Purchased by the donor in the Cuzco area between 1982 and 1984.