Object Number: Eb972

Collection: World Cultures

Object Name: Clothing

Description: Chullu, hat, knitted in acrylic yarn, in stocking stitch with large pompom in 3-ply yarn, split and re-spun to make 2-ply for crown. Fine needles to knit this style said to be made from wire from car tyres. Wide red band with 6 bands of motif, divided by narrow black band: leaf and flower; birds and motifs; leaf and flower; birds and motifs; leaf and flower; zigzag: plain white crown. Possibly knitted by 14 year old Segundino Quispe Quispe, though the tuck taking in the brim suggests he inherited it. Men knit, and boys learn from age of 8. Grades of chullu: pintay chullu (painted) is red all over, worn by married men; chullu oreia (ear) is Puno type with earflaps, bought and worn for the cold; chullu soltero (unmarried) red and white. Few men now wear the red.