Carrying Cloth (Awayu)

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-baby carriers

Culture Aymara

Dateearly to mid 20th Century

Made AtBolivia, South America

MediumCamelid wool

Dimensions25 1/2 × 38 1/2 in. (64.8 × 97.8 cm)

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2016.15.49

DescriptionThis aguayo (or awayu) comes from the Aymara culture and originated in Potosí, Bolivia. Aguayos are made of brightly colored, hand-woven cloth with geometric designs. Two strips of cloth, each two feet wide, are stitched together, and the resulting piece is tied into a pouch that hangs behind the shoulders and slings across the chest. While many people, usually women, use them to carry babies, they can also be used to hold food, drink, money, and a variety of other objects. Aymara aguayos are usually more brightly colored than Quechua aguayos. While some Aymara today do not want to use aguayo because they do not feel safe expressing their cultural heritage, Bolivia has recently seen the rise of “cholitas” who dress traditionally and are gaining an increasing amount of respect.

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