Amazonian Rainforest

Raquel Andoque Andoque, Andoque ceramicist, weaver, cook, singer, dancer, Araracuara

Raquel specializes in weaving chambira fiber for bracelets and chinchorros (traditional hammocks). In her Aduche community, she is also involved in ceramic making, food preparation, childcare, and chagra (gardening).

Virgelina Gómez Rodríguez, Uitoto ceramicist, weaver, cook, singer, dancer, Araracuara

Virgelina Gómez specializes in weaving with chambira, a palm native to the Amazon Rainforest. From her mother, Virgelina learned her skills in weaving, ceramic making, food preparation, and other traditions of her Uitoto culture.

Enrique Hernández, Uitoto fish specialist, wood carver, Bogotá

Enrique Hernández specializes in carving balsa wood fish figures. He first learned this craft through an initiative that provided materials for teaching children about local traditional knowledge. He also creates these replicas as part of a support grant from the NGO Tropenbos International.

Daniel Matapí Yucuna, Matapí craftsman, singer, dancer, Araracuara

Daniel Matapídedicates his time to recording and compiling information about traditional Matapí knowledge, particularly Matapí oral traditions. He is involved in fishing, hunting, and basket weaving, and he often aids researchers who are studying his regional area, Araracuara.

Uldarico Matapí Yucuna, Matapí shaman, craftsman, Bogotá

Uldarico Matapí comes from a prominent family of shamans. He works with Tropenbos International to preserve traditional Matapí knowledge and to apply this towards the development and sovereignty of Amazonian groups.

Abel Rodríguez, Nonuya basket weaver, singer, dancer, Bogotá

Abel Rodríguez is one of the founders of an indigenous territory in the Araracuara area. He works to preserve his ethnic group’s material culture and traditional customs such as hunting, fishing, and basket weaving. Through Tropenbos International, he is also involved in research on the traditional uses and management of vegetation.

Oliverio Rodríguez Muinane, Nonuya basket weaver, singer, dancer, Araracuara

Oliverio Rodríguez is a maloquero, or person in charge of the maloca or ritual home. He is a basketmaker specializing in the balay basket, a rounded basket used to serve food.

Yaneth Tanimuka, Uitoto ceramicist, cook, singer, dancer, Pedrera

Janeth[JE1]Tanimuka is a maloquera,or person in charge of the maloca or ritual home. She is also a representative of the women’s council, ACIMA (Asociación de Capitanías Indígenas del Mirití Amazonas) where she works towards sovereignty and a sustainable way of life for the Tanimuka people.

María Rosa Yucuna de Valencia, Yucuna ceramicist, cook, dancer, singer, Araracuara

María Rosa comes from a family of ceramicists. She learned the craft from her grandmother and mother, and she is currently teaching her granddaughters to make traditional pieces.

Rodrigo Yucuna, Yucuna shaman, craftsman, Pedrera

Rodrigo Yukuna is a maloquero, a traditional Yukuna, and Matapí knowledge specialist. As a maloquero, he preserves the maloca, or body of knowledge, by passing on Yucuna healing practices, dances, and traditional rituals and stories to the younger generation.