Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Chicha, yesterday and today

Toasting important events with alcoholic beverages was as much a part of prehistoric Andean ceremonies as it is today, and the quality of the beverage holder indicated the social status of the user. The nobility drank chicha from silver and gold cups, while people of lower standing sipped from cups made of wood, ceramic or woven plant fibres. These chicha cups were buried with their owners to indicate social status.

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Chicha, yesterday and today

Chicha, yesterday and today

Chicha yesterday and today

Chicha yesterday and today

Wooden kero cup, man with a kero, handle. Arica 900-1300 d.C. MCHAP, 0572

Wooden kero cup. Arica 900-1300 d.C. MCHAP, 0572

Ceramic jug for storing chicha. Aymara. MCHAP, 2185

Chicha yesterday and today, draw.