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Photograph of a Young Quechua
girl caring for her young baby brother. This indigenous girl is carrying
the baby in a "K'eperina" which is a large hand-woven cloth worn over
one's back and is knotted in front. The K'eperina can be used as a
poncho, backpack, and as in this case, as a baby carrier. Children and
possessions are securely kept inside. As is the case with both the
indigenous people of the Andes and the natives of the Amazon River Basin, red
and other bright colors are very popular. This native girl's K'eperina
was hand-woven from thread that was tinted with natural dyes. The red
color most commonly comes from cochineal which is derived from a scale insect
that feeds on plants. Other native dyes are obtained from various plants
and minerals which are native to the Andes Mountains of Peru.
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