Andean Uncuña Mesa Cloth
An uncuña is a mesa cloth used by the Peruvian Paqos as a tool for despacho ceremonies, during meditation to call upon the nature spirits, in chumpi stone limpias, to carry sacred tools, or it is placed on an altar. This uncuña was handwoven in a ceremonial setting in one of the Q'ero Nations close to the town of Ocongate-Cusco by my teacher, Dona Mercedes. This mastana has geometrical designs. The uncuñas are characterized by having tassels. This uncuña was woven with the awayu or aguayo style.
Awayu: Aguayo or awayu is part of the Andean cosmology. The aguayo is a hand-woven fabric with alpaca, llama, or sheep wool, it is dyed with a natural vibrant color.
PACHAMAMA.- Pachamama (Mother Earth) in Quechua is the central- surrounding motif of the Andean path. The religion of the Andean communities is very much an earth-centered religion. Pachamama is believed to be a vastly intelligent, self-aware being who is both infinitely wise and infinitely compassionate. Andeans in general, and Paqos in particular pray to her regularly.
DESPACHO - HAYWARISQ'A.- Is the Quechua word for the offering. A despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places. It is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all things. A despacho is created during a celebratory ceremony, in the cosmology of the Andes.
SIZE: 16 X 14 inches
MATERIAL: Alpaca and synthetic wool
CULTURE: Quechua
ORIGIN: Cusco, Perú
An uncuña is a mesa cloth used by the Peruvian Paqos as a tool for despacho ceremonies, during meditation to call upon the nature spirits, in chumpi stone limpias, to carry sacred tools, or it is placed on an altar. This uncuña was handwoven in a ceremonial setting in one of the Q'ero Nations close to the town of Ocongate-Cusco by my teacher, Dona Mercedes. This mastana has geometrical designs. The uncuñas are characterized by having tassels. This uncuña was woven with the awayu or aguayo style.
Awayu: Aguayo or awayu is part of the Andean cosmology. The aguayo is a hand-woven fabric with alpaca, llama, or sheep wool, it is dyed with a natural vibrant color.
PACHAMAMA.- Pachamama (Mother Earth) in Quechua is the central- surrounding motif of the Andean path. The religion of the Andean communities is very much an earth-centered religion. Pachamama is believed to be a vastly intelligent, self-aware being who is both infinitely wise and infinitely compassionate. Andeans in general, and Paqos in particular pray to her regularly.
DESPACHO - HAYWARISQ'A.- Is the Quechua word for the offering. A despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places. It is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all things. A despacho is created during a celebratory ceremony, in the cosmology of the Andes.
SIZE: 16 X 14 inches
MATERIAL: Alpaca and synthetic wool
CULTURE: Quechua
ORIGIN: Cusco, Perú
An uncuña is a mesa cloth used by the Peruvian Paqos as a tool for despacho ceremonies, during meditation to call upon the nature spirits, in chumpi stone limpias, to carry sacred tools, or it is placed on an altar. This uncuña was handwoven in a ceremonial setting in one of the Q'ero Nations close to the town of Ocongate-Cusco by my teacher, Dona Mercedes. This mastana has geometrical designs. The uncuñas are characterized by having tassels. This uncuña was woven with the awayu or aguayo style.
Awayu: Aguayo or awayu is part of the Andean cosmology. The aguayo is a hand-woven fabric with alpaca, llama, or sheep wool, it is dyed with a natural vibrant color.
PACHAMAMA.- Pachamama (Mother Earth) in Quechua is the central- surrounding motif of the Andean path. The religion of the Andean communities is very much an earth-centered religion. Pachamama is believed to be a vastly intelligent, self-aware being who is both infinitely wise and infinitely compassionate. Andeans in general, and Paqos in particular pray to her regularly.
DESPACHO - HAYWARISQ'A.- Is the Quechua word for the offering. A despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places. It is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all things. A despacho is created during a celebratory ceremony, in the cosmology of the Andes.
SIZE: 16 X 14 inches
MATERIAL: Alpaca and synthetic wool
CULTURE: Quechua
ORIGIN: Cusco, Perú
