---
title: Poporo Quimbaya
author: Edgar Serrano
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4046/poporo-quimbaya/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Poporo Quimbaya
_Authored by [Edgar Serrano](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/eserrano/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4046.jpg)
## Image Caption
Poporo is a device used by indigenous cultures in present and pre-Columbian South America for storage of small amounts of lime. It is constituted by two pieces: the receptacle, and the lid which includes a pin that is used to carry the lime to the mouth while chewing coca leaves. Since the chewing of coca is sacred for the indigenous people, the poporos are also attributed with mystical powers and social status. The Poporo Quimbaya shown here was found in Antioquia, Colombia in the 19th century and is an imitation of a gourd, whose rounded features were associated with the female body. It was made around 300 CE with a lost-wax casting process. This relic has been a symbol of The [Gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/)'s Museum ever since its opening (Bogota, Colombia).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Museo del Oro del Banco de la República | banrepcultural.org](http://www.banrepcultural.org/museo-del-oro "Museo del Oro del Banco de la República | banrepcultural.org"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Serrano, E. (2015, September 02). Poporo Quimbaya. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Serrano, Edgar. "Poporo Quimbaya." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 02, 2015. .
### MLA
Serrano, Edgar. "Poporo Quimbaya." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Sep 2015, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Edgar Serrano](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/eserrano/ "User Page: Edgar Serrano"), published on 02 September 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.