Hair Tie Item Number: 3486/17 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
A pair of non-identical wasa watana (hair ties) woven in complementary warp weave, and sewn together. Each has tassels formed by intersecting warps that are woven as separate bands, but each end of each hairtie has a different branching conformation. Both hair ties are edged with small beads, which were threaded on the weft yarn before weaving. Another complete hair tie with intersecting warps is folded and inserted between the non-identical hair ties and sewn in place. Alpaca and sheep’s wool.
Hair ties are worn by highland women of Peru and Bolivia as adornments but are also useful for keeping their long braids joined together on their back and out of their way while doing other tasks. In the Cusco area, they are called “wasa watana” (Quechua), which means a narrow woven band with other bands woven through it. The distinctive feature of woven wasa watana is the addition of intersecting warp bands near both ends, which are also woven. The intersecting bands produce tassel-like endings with fringes. The most common design woven into the narrow bands is nested diamonds; other patterns based on triangles or zigzags are also used. The main band bridges woman’s hair braids and sections of it are included in the braids, with the tassels extending from the ends of their braids. Types vary in Peru and Bolivia and several different techniques (weaving, braiding, wrapping, felting, embroidery) are used to make them.
Bought by the donor in 1984 in the Cusco area; made and worn in the highlands above the Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley).