Polleras
Braided hair and pigtails. The dark skirts are called Pulliras or Polleras - colourful skirts made from handwoven wool cloth called bayeta. Women may wear 3 or 4 skirts in a graduated layer effect. On special occasions such as festivals women may wear up to 15 polleras tied around the waist. Often the trim of each skirt is lined with a colourful puyto which is usually handmade. In some areas polleras are also referred to as melkkhay (Quechua)
© Kieron Nelson 2013 "Vanishing Cultures Photography" All rights reserved
