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Awayus are colorful carrying cloths used to haul children, food, and just about everything else - the SUVs of the Altiplano. Awayus don't carry as much as SUVs, of course, but they do run on less fuel - a little rice or potatoes, a bit of meat... For the most part, the bright carrying cloths seen wrapped across the backs of cholas (market women) today are of cotton or synthetic fabric that is made by machine. However, the awayus shown here are hand-made - they represent a vanishing art - weaving and spinning are slowly dying out on the Altiplano. These awayus are woven from finely spun wool yarn that often gives them a hard, tight appearance rather than a wooly one. Such awayus are usually of an earthtone or muted color that is crossed by brightly colored bands down the center and down each side. The bands are often decorated with geometric or zoomorphic designs. Sometimes, additional bands are included. Along with their utilitarian purposes, Awayus are often woven by marriageable women to demonstrate their domestic skills.

AWAYU #2: This is an old awayu in good condition. It measures 38 X 37 inches. It is black and decorated with two bands of birds and viscacha (a highland animal that appears to be a cross between a rabbit, a cat, and a kangaroo) down the center - a design common to the North Potosi region. Item No. - BAWAY2 $65.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

AWAYU #4: This is an old awayu in good condition. It's brown with an unusual checkerboard pattern of geometric designs down the center. It measures 33 X37 inches. Item No. - BAWAY4 $60.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

AWAYU #6: A black awayu with broad, geometric center band. Edge bands elaborate series of colored and geometric stripes. This awayu measures 30 X 39 inches. Item No. - BAWAY6 $60.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

AWAYU #9: A newer awayu made in the old style. This is a bright, showy piece that will light up any room. Its bright red (fuscia) color is set off by yellow or green stripes along the sides. It has a broad center band consisting of geometric designs. There is a series of geometric stripes along each side. Iten No. - BAWAY9 $65.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

AWAYU #10: A dark brown awayu with a broad center band decorated with geometric designs. Its edge bands also have narrow rows of geometric designs. It measures 39 X 41 inches. Item No. - BAWAY10 $65.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

AWAYU #12: An unusual black awayu measuring 34 X 42 inches. Its center ban, decorated with an elaborate array of condors, men on horseback, and geometric designs, was woven separately (usually awayus are made of two pieces of cloth joined down the middle of the center band.) Item No. - BAWAY12 $75.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

AWAYU #13: A slate blue, five-banded awayu with geometric designs in center and edge bands. It measures 34 X 42. Item No. - BAWAY13 $60.00 + ($3.50 S & H)

To Purchase: These are individual items; there is only one of each to sell. To avoid multiple buyers:

1. Confirm purchase by contacting the Adventuredog MarketPlace via email at jciotti256@earthlink.net; be sure to include item code and name. If you desire to pay by credit card, also indicate this in the email.

2. Once the sale has been confirmed (by return email), payment can be made by check or credit card. For credit card purchases, Adventuredog will generate an invoice through PayPal by which your remittance can be made securely .

4. If disatisfied with a purchase, please notify Adventuredog MarketPlace at jciotti256@earthlink.net for instructions on return and refund.