Ahuaya c. 19th century

This Ahuaya textile, crafted by Sica Sica, pulses with visual symbols passed down through generations. Predominantly, we see parallel lines, in which the symbolic power lies in their arrangement and chromatic choices. Consider, for example, how stripes have been used across cultures: From ancient Roman togas, where they indicated status, to medieval heraldry, where they denoted lineage. The elementary figure of the line appears in a multitude of other patterns across continents and eras, where they may represent trade routes, the course of rivers, or even the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. In this Ahuaya, the stripes in various colors resonate deeply, evoking subconscious associations with the earth, sky, and ancestral realms. Its creators and beholders tap into a collective memory, engaging with a symbol that echoes through the corridors of time. The Ahuaya reminds us that cultural memory is not linear; motifs reappear, evolve, and take on new meanings, connecting us to a rich, shared past.