often an elder man or woman who dreams for the spirit and interprets signs of possession or spiritual visitation
such as earth from an elephant’s footprint or wood from a tree struck by lightning (tufi twa mpeshi)
Terracotta horse and rider figures were often left as votive offerings at sanctuaries or placed in the graves of the elite
and beads became important markers of status
these figures would have been painted in delicate hues
Chancay Pottery Jar baule often an elder man orPre Columbian Era, Chancay Culture, c. 10001470 AD, Peru An exceptional hand crafted large Chancay pottery jar, featuring an elegantly corseted neck, flared spout, and dual handles. The ovoid body rests on a rounded base and is adorned with bold geometric patterns, including parallel vertical stripes painted in a deep dark brown hue over a natural beige terracotta surface. The Chancay civilization, flourishing along the central coast of Peru, is