BY Abigail Doan | August 29, 2010

Preserving The Pulse of The Amazon

Kaxinawá indigenous peoples of the Amazon have been weaving spirit stories and symbolic imagery into their artwork for centuries. As an indigenous group occupying the dense rainforests of Peru and Brazil, they are also known as the Huni Kuin, or “true people” of this bio-diverse region.
 
Weaving with naturally dyed cotton yields these intricately patterned Kaxinawá wristbands featuring the jaguar paw with "curica" (parrot) eye design. Strikingly bold traditional patterns such as these have a strong cultural significance as encoded illustrations of the spiritual forces of the forest.  They are also evocative of revered qualities such a courage, force, power and wisdom.

 
According to Ecostasy sustainable design products, the company that features these unique designs, “the Kaxinawá communities are located in the state of Acre on over 600,000 hectares of preserved rainforest. With a population of approximately 6,000, the Kaxinawá comprise over 40% of the indigenous population. Traditional Kaxinawá society is organized around groups of extended families with two central figures: the political leadership and the pajé, or shaman. The leadership possesses the power to organize the community around its collective interests. The pajé is believed to have spiritual powers and occupy a central role in Kaxinawá society.”

Craft culture, and weaving specifically, serves not only as a means of documenting endangered stories and ancient symbolism, but also provides sustenance for the inhabitants of this region. The Ecostasy collection is dedicated to building a business model for “earnest green consumerism” via their online ethical product offerings and collaborations. Their mission of bringing sustainable economic development to local communities and the artisans of Brazil is just one way of twining together the preservation of both the environment and traditional crafts.