El atado de remedios de un religioso/médico del periodo Tiwanaku: miradas cruzadas y conexiones actuales

Abstract

In this article, we analyze an exceptional ritual find from the Tiwanaku culture. Our intent is to understand the ritual and medicinal relevance of this assemblage, a q’ipichata belonging to a Tiwanaku shaman-priest found at the site of Pallqa in the valley of Amaguaya, Province of Larecaja in the Department of La Paz. We based our analysis on the use of ethnographic analogy, in particular on the understanding of two indigenous specialists: the renowned ritual shamans known as the Kallawaya from the province of Bautista Saavedra of La Paz, and the K’awayu from the province of Tomas Frías of Potosí, specialists and distributors of symbolic objects and medicinal plants. We have been able to identify a hierarchy of hide pouches used to hold and conserve the ritual paraphernalia and the snuff. Notable items include a large decorated snuff tablet, the personal clothing of the individual dated between AD 700-1500, and various medicines with symbolic and medicinal properties. We begin by analyzing the technological aspects of the artifacts through such qualities as the elements as the hides, the cords and the textiles; afterwards, we looked at the iconographic aspects with the intent of dating and assigning cultural affinity to the artifacts. Finally, we analyze the medical and ritual aspect by identifying each of the medicinal remains. In summary, our analysis takes into consideration the entire assemblage of the q’ipichata and proposes possible uses of the ritual and medicinal remains.

Keywords

• textiles
• La Paz
• medical instruments
• therapeutic memory aids
• ritual paraphernalia
• symbolism