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Description

Wasa watana (hair tie) woven in a complementary warp weave. Tassels formed by intersecting warps that are woven as separate bands. Warp fringes. Alpaca fibre, finely spun. Notable for the length of bands and fringe and the large number of intersecting warp bands.

History Of Use

Hair ties are worn by highland women of Peru and Bolivia as adornments but are also useful for keeping their long braids joined together on their back and out of their way while doing other tasks. In the Cuzco area, they are called “wasa watana” (Quechua), which means a narrow woven band with other bands woven through it. The distinctive feature of woven wasa watana is the addition of intersecting warp bands near both ends, which are also woven. The intersecting bands produce tassel-like endings with fringes. The most common design woven into the narrow bands is nested diamonds; other patterns based on triangles or zigzags are also used. The main band bridges woman’s hair braids and sections of it are included in the braids, with the tassels extending from the ends of their braids. Types vary in Peru and Bolivia and several different techniques (weaving, braiding, wrapping, felting, embroidery) are used to make them.

Narrative

Bought by the donor in 1983 at the Chincheros Sunday market; made and worn in the highlands near the Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley).