The wayaka, or wachala, cloth carries sacred importance to the Q’ero people. They bundle sacred coca leaves in these traditional carry cloths. Women tuck them in their waist belts. Men carry them in their coca bags. They also use these textiles to wrap warm potatoes as a sort of “lunch box” when herding llamas and alpacas across the steep Andean mountainsides. You will treasure this wayaka created by young weaver Soinia Machacca Apasa in her home village of Hapu Q’ero region of the Andes. 16 x 13 inches. 40.5 x 33 cm . Your purchase includes a photo of Sonia holding an inner cloth that she wove that is very similar to yours.
Learn how your purchase helps the Q’ero people: Q’ero Life in the Andes: A Partnership.
To learn more about Q’ero weaving and watch them spin and weave, watch this brief video: Weaving in the Q’ero Nation.