Crafts From The Amazon Region
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsCrafts From The Amazon Region
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsCrafts from the
Amazon Region
Sa6tuddezdde
2lidi
8
The Crafts of Puyo
► They are characterized by making everything with raw materials provided by the
environment without representing a danger to the environment. Among the most
common crafts are spears, blowguns, arrows, fans, ceramics, traditional costumes,
among others.
► Crafts and tourism in the city of Puyo, province of Pastaza, birthplace of the
“Balsa y la Chonta” represents an important center of craft production, it is
characterized by its striking crafts made by the skillful hands of our artisans who
carve faces of our Communities Indigenous people, arrows, spears, blowpipes,
(pucuna – blowpipes – bodoquera) ceramics, fans, ornaments, typical costumes,
different figures of flora and fauna, birds, fish, flowers, multicolored necklaces,
earrings, bracelets, wallets, hammocks, sigras, bracelets, crowns, bags, anklets,
earrings, belts, made from natural seeds from the jungle such as guaba, platanillo,
san pedro, shiguango, tagua, bamboo, etc., feathers from different species of
birds, bones, reeds, shells, materials suitable for making quality crafts, so that our
tourists can take home a beautiful memory of the Amazon without damaging the
environment.
Waorani Crafts
► Waorani crafts are usually made by the women of the community. Among the most used
materials is chonta, with which they make knives, spears and blowguns. On the other
hand, they also use the chambira, which is a type of palm tree with which they make
various types of bags, hammocks, bracelets, necklaces, baskets, etc.
► The Woarani are a people from the Amazon who live clinging to their customs and
beliefs. They are settled in recognized ancestral territories of the provinces of Napo,
Pastaza and Orellana and from there they have spread their culture and art through
their crafts in natural fibers. Without ignoring their history as warriors and that until
just three generations ago they lived naked in the immense and impenetrable humid
jungle, they are currently one of the Ecuadorian nationalities considered guardians and
defenders of nature.
► A fundamental change in the worldview of this group is that given by women, who
acquired a relevant role in homes when they entered the artisanal activity with a micro-
business vision. An example is the more than 350 from various communities grouped in
the Waorani Association of the Ecuadorian Amazon. They develop craft projects and
native plant nurseries, which they use as raw materials.
Other crafts
► Other materials used for making crafts are palm trees, snake skin and feathers. On the
other hand, a great variety of seeds are found in the mountains. With the materials
mentioned above, typical wallets or body ornaments of the Shuar people are made, for
example: the crosses that men wear on their torsos.
► Chambira is a fiber obtained from the leaves of a palm tree and is used to weave purses
and other accessories. On the other hand, the specialty of the Amazonian people is
making objects and decorations for the home. They also make baskets, hats, vases,
lamps, etc.
► An important fact is that they use a vine called “capi” to weave crafts. On the other
hand, tagua fiber (dark brown) and capi (light tone) are woven into objects such as
baskets. Gourds, in their different types, are used to make maracas or containers that
function as cups, ladles or plates.
► The kitchen objects have a rustic finish with carved figures, while the ornamental
objects have a lacquer finish. Pambil is used to make chopsticks to use as a hair
accessory. On the other hand, with the same material, spheres with feathers at the end
are made, these are shaped like arrows or small spears.
