Native American languages Native American Indians Native American genealogy

Aguayo (Aguayos)

"Aguayo" is the name for a type of indigenous Andean carrying sling. Aguayos are usually woven from the wool of llamas or alpacas, and decorated in brightly colored stripes. Women frequently use aguayos to carry young children on their backs, but they are also used like backpacks to carry items to market or any other type of load. The name "aguayo" is a Spanish borrowing from the Aymara word awayu, but the same type of sling is also used by other Andean people as well, particularly the Quechua. The word for an aguayo in the Quechua language is q'ipina.

Sponsored Links

Here are links to some online resources about aguayos:

In Bolivia, Strollers Compete With Baby Slings
The Aguayo: Ancient Andean Wisdom for Moms
Wikipedia: Aguayo

Here are links to our webpages about the Andean tribes and languages:
Aymara language
Quechua language
Aymara people
Quechua people
Andean culture
Peru languages
South American tribes

Here are a few good books about aguayos:
Woven Stories: Andean Textiles and Rituals
The Andean Science of Weaving

Back to our Native American encyclopedia

Would you like to help support our organization's work with indigenous languages?