Chumpi Stones (Khuyas) Explained
Chumpi stones, also called khuyas, are carved stones used in the Andean tradition of Cusco. Andean practitioners work with them on the energy body, which in Quechua is described with the ñawis (energy centres) and the chumpis (bands or belts of energy). This guide explains what they are, how sets are made up and how to choose one.
What the word means
In Quechua, chumpi means belt or band, and khuya refers to a stone or object that is held dear and carries power. Chumpi stones are the khuyas used to work with these energy bands.
How a set is made up
- A set usually has five, seven or nine stones; sets of 7 are the most common, and there are larger sets of 12.
- Each stone corresponds to a ñawi or a chumpi and is recognised by its shape: the number of sides or points, or the drawings carved on it.
- Larger sets can include ritual objects such as a mastana (cloth for the mesa), rattles and protective bags.
Materials
- Alabaster (Huamanga stone): soft, light-coloured stone that is easy to carve with fine detail. See our alabaster set of 7 or the set of 12.
- Jiwaya stone, known as meteorite: a dark, heavy stone brought to Cusco from the Ausangate and Chumbivilcas areas. See the carved set of 7 or the uncarved set, often chosen by people in training.
Other khuyas for the Andean mesa
Besides chumpi sets, there are individual khuyas for the mesa (misha), the cloth where Andean practitioners keep their sacred objects, such as the eight-pointed star, linked to the Chaska star and the start of the agricultural year, and the Andean cross.
How to choose a set
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Are starting out or training | Uncarved set of 7 or alabaster set of 7 |
| Want a durable set for regular practice | Carved jiwaya (meteorite) set of 7 |
| Want a complete mesa | Set of 12 with mastana and rattles |
Care
- Keep each stone in its own cloth bag so they do not chip each other.
- Clean them with a dry cloth. Alabaster is soft and can be damaged by water and knocks.
- Each piece is carved by hand in Cusco, so shapes and sizes vary slightly from set to set.
Frequently asked questions
Are chumpi stones the same as chakra stones?
They are often compared, but they come from a different tradition: chumpi stones belong to Andean practice and work with ñawis and chumpis, not with the chakra system of India.
Why does my set look different from the photo?
Every set is carved by hand from natural stone, so colour, veins and size change from one set to another.