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Carrying Cloth (Awayu), early to mid 20th Century
Aymara culture; Bolivia
Camelid wool; 25 1/…
Carrying Cloth (Awayu)
Carrying Cloth (Awayu), early to mid 20th Century
Aymara culture; Bolivia
Camelid wool; 25 1/…
Carrying Cloth (Awayu), early to mid 20th Century Aymara culture; Bolivia Camelid wool; 25 1/2 × 38 1/2 in. 2016.15.49 Anonymous Gift

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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