Ch'uspa is a Quechua word meaning purse or bag. Men and women have used ch'uspas in their different forms for more than 2,000 years. Some highly decorated ch'uspas are used only for special occasions, as part of the dancers' costumes during festivals. Others are simpler in style and are used primarily by men to carry coca leaves. Both men and women use a smaller ch'uspa to carry money. Men are rarely without their ch'uspas, which are finely woven and often have a separate supplemental pocket for llipta, the lime ash catalyst that activates the alkaloids in coca. Quechua clothing lacks pockets and not all ch'uspas have these special small pockets.
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Fair and ethically traded products. Learn More
- Offering authentic, sustainable products that support artisans, their families, and indigenous ways Learn More...
Providing a connection to the sacred arts of indigenous communities. Learn More
- Consciously serving our community for over 22 years with integrity and passion Learn More...
Living in harmoney with each other and our earth. Learn More
- Reducing our use of resources with Earth conscious shipping and packaging practices Learn More...