KAYAPO BAG
- Regular price
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$38.00 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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$38.00
This one-of-a-kind bag is handcrafted with buriti fiber by Kayapó men. Show off your bold style with a much-needed accessory made out of natural materials. Its strong yet lightweight construction is perfect for everyday carry items.
For the Kayapó and other indigenous peoples, the commercialization of handicrafts is not only important for generating sustainable income for their families but also for keeping this knowledge alive, passed down through generations, and promoting their culture to the world.
25% OF PROFITS GO TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN BRAZIL
DETAILS
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MEET THE CREATOR
PARÁ, Brazil
KAYAPÓ PEOPLE
Photography by Instituto Kabu
"We wish to improve our lives and provide good things for our children. We want to preserve our culture, see our work recognized and purchased at a fair price. We are standing up for our way of life and our forest".
After over 60 years of contact, the Kayapó people have assimilated various aspects of Brazilian and Western culture. In their craftsmanship, seeds and mollusk shells have been replaced by colorful beads used in necklaces, bracelets and belts. The younger generations have been adapting and adopting these habits, customs, and technologies more quickly.
Despite all the changes, the Kayapó people still maintain their centuries-old way of life and cultivate their traditions. Their sustenance is derived from hunting, fishing, fruit and plant gathering, as well as traditional cassava farming.
Houses are communal, and children move freely throughout the villages. The traditional medicine of the shamans continues to be valued, as well as rituals and festivals that bring together relatives from different villages. This spirit of collectivism is also present in decision-making processes that impact the daily lives of the communities, which are made collectively.
The graphic symbols representing animals such as the tortoise and jaguar have a complex set of rules and are essential within the communities. The art of painting, like basket weaving, is learned and perfected over many years.
Some global phenomena, such as the fight for gender equality, are reflected in the Kayapó universe. The first female chief among the Mekrãgnotí is highly respected, and female leadership is on the rise.
When it comes to weapons, men wield heavy wooden clubs called "bordunas," which are intricately carved and adorned, while women use machetes, their daily tools in the fields. Diplomatic by nature, they avoid direct confrontations with each other. It is revealing that the Kayapó, known for being assertive in their fight for their rights, have several words for "fight" in their language but none for "war."