The community collected llama bones for us to complete our set of tools for weaving, our awana. These ruki would help us beat the weft into our weavings tightly.

Several times upon my return to the U.S. from Peru, while unpacking at home, I’ve realized that in fact I am bringing some sort of animal product into the country. I guess that the officials at customs have interpreted this oversight as “an artist’s sin.”

Rukikuna (Beaters)

Sachi Gianchandani

Chinchero, 2013

18/31