GENERAL DESCRIPTION
For thousands of years, the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) has played an essential role in the daily life and ritual practices of Andean peoples. Carried in bags as a common individual accessory, the coca leaves contain alkaloids that, when consumed, suppress fatigue and increase energy, counteracting physical effects caused by extreme altitudes. Coca leaves may be chewed, used for medicinal purposes, offered in ritual, or shared among family and friends as an integral part of Andean social lives.
During the late 19th century, global interest in coca developed regarding its perceived medicinal effects and flavor for beverages. Popular opinion toward coca shifted by the 20th century due to concerns about the addictiveness of its main alkaloid—cocaine. In 1961, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which designated coca as a narcotic. Since the treaty was established, international efforts to thwart cocaine production have stirred debate among certain Andean countries, for which coca is still part of the cultural heritage and indigenous practice. Coca leaves remain available today in Andean markets and are utilized by certain Andean populations.
Excerpt from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, Gallery text, 2015.
NOTES
- General description taken from: Kimberly L. Jones, "Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes," Label Copy (Coca in the Andes), 2015.
ASSOCIATED CONTENT CHUNKS
- Andes, South America
- Andean Orthography
- Textile Production in the Andes
- Chavín (Chavín de Huántar)
- Chimú
- Chongoyape
- Cupisnique
- Inka (Inca)
- Moche
- Nasca (Nazca)
- Paracas
- Salinar
- Sicán (Lambayeque)
- Tembladera
- Tiwanaku (Tihuanacu / Tiahuanaco)
- Wari (Huari)
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
- 265930429: UMO. [Caption] A drawing by Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala from his 1615 Chronicle shows Manco Inca Yupanqui (Manqu Inka Yupanki in Quechua) carrying a coca bag (chuspa, ch’uspa). Source: Wikimedia Commons, accessed: November 18, 2015, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manku_Qhapaq_uchuy.png#/media/File:Manku_Qhapaq_uchuy.png.
- 265930340: UMO. [Caption] Coca plant leaves and berries (Erythroxylum novogranatense). Source: Ilmari Karonen (talk), Wikimedia Commons, accessed: November 18, 2015, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erythroxylum_novogranatense_var._Novogranatense_(retouched).jpg#/media/File:Erythroxylum_novogranatense_var._Novogranatense_(retouched).jpg.
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
SET OPERATOR AS OR
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Category
rules_operator
OR
General Description
For thousands of years, the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) has played an essential role in the daily life and ritual practices of Andean peoples. Carried in bags as a common individual accessory, the coca leaves contain alkaloids that, when consumed, suppress fatigue and increase energy, counteracting physical effects caused by extreme altitudes. Coca leaves may be chewed, used for medicinal purposes, offered in ritual, or shared among family and friends as an integral part of Andean social lives.
During the late 19th century, global interest in coca developed regarding its perceived medicinal effects and flavor for beverages. Popular opinion toward coca shifted by the 20th century due to concerns about the addictiveness of its main alkaloid—cocaine. In 1961, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which designated coca as a narcotic. Since the treaty was established, international efforts to thwart cocaine production have stirred debate among certain Andean countries, for which coca is still part of the cultural heritage and indigenous practice. Coca leaves remain available today in Andean markets and are utilized by certain Andean populations.
Excerpt from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, Gallery text, 2015.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- General description taken from: Kimberly L. Jones, "Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes," Label Copy (Coca in the Andes), 2015.
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1989.W.2436
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1989.W.2390
Apply To
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number
Equals
1989.W.2429
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1989.W.2256
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1989.W.2418
Apply To
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number
Equals
1989.W.2479
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1989.W.2431
Apply To
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number
Equals
1991.380
Apply To
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number
Equals
1983.W.120
Apply To
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number
Equals
1976.W.487
Apply To
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number
Equals
1989.W.2435
Apply To
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Equals
1983.632
Apply To
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number
Equals
1983.635
Apply To
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number
Equals
1972.23.3.1.McD
Apply To
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Equals
1972.23.3.2.McD
Apply To
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number
Equals
1989.W.2405
Apply To
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number
Equals
1976.W.492
Apply To
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number
Equals
1972.23.4.1.McD
Apply To
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number
Equals
1972.23.4.2.McD
source file
cultures_and_traditions-0141.xml.nores