Quechua - Aymara Belt.

Ethnic Caracaras. Toropalca. Potosi. Bolivia. XIX century.

Girdle woven on a stake loom, warp-faced, with sheep's wool selected for its natural color and ribbons dyed with vegetable dyes. The iconography of its ornamental design is naive and is limited to representing flowers and trees growing on the river bank, where vines also abound, one of the sources of livelihood for the community. Measurements. Length: 452 cm / 177.95 in. Width: 6 cm / 2.36 in.

Toropalca is located 120 kilometers south of the Villa Imperial de Potosí -on the banks of the Toropalca River-, halfway between it and Cotagaita, whose importance has eclipsed it in every way, including demographic. The last census showed a population of only 868 families, as a result of their migration to the head city of the municipality. The same has happened with textile crafts, whose bands show great influence from Cotagaita.

This particular garment has a special value for its age and its state of conservation.

S.O.VI-DOM