Shamans, Supernaturals & Animal Spirits: Mythic Figures From the Ancient Andes

The discovery of multiple textile deposits at the Pachacamac shrine, representing
distinct cultures and time periods during the long epoch between Wari and Inka
domination, attests to the considerable overlap between and mutual influence of coastal
styles and iconography.
Textiles were traded between cultures and exchanged as tribute across a wide region.
Related types of weavings have been found in diverse locations—from Ica, in the
south, to the Huarmey Valley, in the north. As a consequence, the cultural attribution or
chronology for numerous extant pieces such as this tunic fragment remains an imprecise
art.
Thin figural stripes along the outer edge resonate with highland weaving traditions,
while a bird-shaped eye motif echoes Wari conventions. But the icon itself is that
mythical conflation dubbed the "moon animal," which was inherited from the Recuay
and ubiquitous in north-central coast imagery. Jaguar spots on the face, combined with
the coati's ringed tail and three-clawed foot, reveal one inspiration for the motif—if not
the significance of the mix of references.
An unusual symbol emerging from the animal's mouth is a potential clue. This
segmented/tripartite form is similar to the San Pedro cactus emblem frequently applied
to the classic Wari staff-bearer’s staff. However, in this context it is also tempting to
interpret the motif as a glyph or sign indicating sound or speech—particularly given the
overlap between fox and coati in local iconography.
History and ritual practice substantiate the association. For example, the golden effigy
of a sacred fox or vixen was installed at Pachacamac, which was renowned as temple of
oracles. Similarly, a drawing made by the Chronicler Huamán Poma during the later
post-conquest era portrays an Inka diviner consulting various animal oracles—among
them a fox with a scroll emanating from its mouth.
Additionally, the design is framed by rows of parrots—a bird especially associated with
talkativeness and the shamanic arts—which only seem to reinforce a theme of oracle
communication or mediation.
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