Inti Coin Purse with Pompom Aqua

Textile Tradition: In the Andes, women artisans use the backstrap loom for traditional woven textiles. It is a completely non-mechanised loom, the oldest form in the world. It is constructed with wood, bone and strings, easily portable and possible to be set up in the home or elsewhere. All of the textiles used in Awamaki’s bags and purses are woven on back-strap looms by women living in remote Andean communities around the Sacred Valley. 

Story of the Design: The textile designs of Awamaki's coin purses were inspired by the shawls worn by our artisan partners. In Quechua, these shawls are called Lliclla, a very important and personal article for each woman. They carefully weave their own llicllas, selecting each figure and emblem to represent their own individuality and values. No two llicllas are the same as they are a visual representation of each woman. Which of our coin purses represents your style?

Artisans: Awamaki works with different cooperatives in the Patacancha and Kelkanka communities for woven textiles, it is based on a rotation system to ensure income and orders are equally distributed amongst the artisans. There are 3 cooperatives – Awac Phuna, Songuillay and Wakanquilla Kelkanca – with about 90 women artisans who partner with Awamaki to weave textiles.