Ceremonial Scarf (bufando or ufanta) 1850 - 1900

This ceremonial scarf, or bufando, was woven by the Aymara people. The eye is drawn to the geometric patterns along the bottom, crowned with tassels. These are not merely decorations, but potent symbols deeply embedded in the Aymara worldview. Consider the diamond motif repeated in the pattern. It echoes across cultures and centuries, a visual shorthand for the cosmos, for eyes that see beyond the veil, for the interconnectedness of all things. Think of the lozenge shapes on ancient Greek pottery, vessels that held both practical goods and the echoes of myths, or the ubiquitous diamond patterns that embellish textiles from many cultures. The diamond motif is a potent symbol, evolving through time, charged with meaning passed down through generations, triggering a primal recognition, a memory of shared human experience, and reminding us of our connections.