Red woven skirt, Ñapanga de Pasto

The ñapanga or llapanga is traditional figure from Cordillera Occidental region, meaning “Barefooted Lady” in Quechua. Traditionally this term was used in the region for mulato woman (daughter of a black and white couple).

The Ñapanga dress consists of a skirt, blouse and shawl, coming from the Spanish heritage, while the color of the cloths and the barefoot aspect came from African heritage. Jewlery used by Ñapangas is deeply related with catholic symbology implanted in Popayan since the 16th Century, this type of jewelry was exclusive to Ñapangas, as part of their eye-catching attire to show their wealth and status; the technique used to get their jewelry comes from indigenous filigree tradition of goldsmithing in the region.