ARTISANS MAKE PROGRESS WITH FIRST ROUND OF BIRD ORNAMENTS
April 07, 2022
February 19, 2022
As we moved into the afternoon of the second day of Amazon Ecology's Artisan Facilitator training workshop in the community of Amazonas, all of the participants were close to completing at least one of the woven bird assigned to their group.
A few of the artisans with several years of experience had almost finished making two northern cardinals - the model representing this popular bird in the US. It was impressive as well to see advances in more complicated models like the great blue heron, marvelous spatule-tail hummingbird and chestnut-eared aracari.
These ornaments will be available for sale at our online store after I get home in April.
Benjamin completes one cardinal ornament
Ketty makes progress on great blue heron ornament
Paquita makes weaves body on chestnut-eared aracari ornament with chambira palm fiber
Great blue heron ornament being woven with chambira palm fiber
"While concepts like punctuality, mutual respect, no put downs of self or others, and listening when someone else is speaking may seem like obvious guidelines to form a positive community, a commitment to actually practice and hold each other accountable to observe these agreements is profound in a culture where showing up late, malicious gossip, and interrupting a speaker are painfully common."
"Artisan facilitators should of course share what they know, but beginning and experienced artisans all benefit by remaining humble, enthusiastic about learning, and committed to encourage and affirm their fellow artisans. So many artisans said that the thing they most wanted to bring back to their communities was this spirit of working in a mutually supportive environment."
"Both men and women wore garb made with bleached llanchama tree bark painted with graphic figures from Bora clans. Several wore headdresses made with the feathers from macaws and parrots. They discussed the importance of nature and craft-making in their culture and then launched into a lively dance where the men chanted and pounded sticks into the ground to the rhythm of moving around in a circle. Visitors joined the undulating lines to share the vibrant energy."