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

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Band "Water Cat"
Coastal Wari culture, North Central Coast
AD 800-1000
Cotton, camelid wool; tapestry weave
3" x 11½"
This more intricate, richly colorful rendering endows the
undulating snake with a whiskered cat head. This fusion of
snake and feline is a pervasive theme in Andean iconography.
While it may have been contrived to express supernatural
ferocity or energy, other Andean metaphors offer equal insight
into its significance.
The practice of agriculture near the coast was always dependent
on rivers and irrigation canals. Although we do not know what
symbolism such natural or man-made channels inspired among
these ancient farming societies, it may have been similar to
Inka ideas. The Inkas personified their rivers and springs with
puma heads and tails; they also called their irrigation channels
"silver snakes." It is therefore feasible that this distinctive icon
is a visual sign for such essential watercourses and the spiritual
forces that animated them.
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