Armlets of woven cotton

Full view of some Armlets of woven cotton
Bora, Putumayo region, Northwest Amazon, pre-1926
Cotton, dye
Accession Number 56.22.855-6

Bora men and women tied bands like these tightly around their upper arms and below their knees, causing the muscles to swell. Swollen muscles were considered a sign of beauty and strength.


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