Jungle riverboat arrival to remote Wounaan village in the Darién rainforest, part of RFB Woven Art’s cultural travel stories

Stories from the villages behind the woven art

Tales & Traditions

From canoe trips down jungle rivers to fire-roasted meals and rooftop sunsets shared with parrot companions, these stories bring you inside the life and rhythm of the Wounaan and Embera communities we work with.

You'll find tales of dancing in the dust, carving cocobolo under the stars, and the quiet, steady work of preparing palm fiber by hand. These aren’t just behind-the-scenes—this is the heartbeat of RFB Woven Art.

Tales & Traditions

Dionila Mejia – The Dancing Aunt

in 2012, a tiny aunt with big spirit pulled me into a Wounaan dance—and I’ve been learning from her ever since. Dionila Mejia is joy in motion.

Wounaan guide steering canoe along the Darién river in Panama, en route to remote artisan village

Canoe Ceremony: Haai Hi Jeujem

In the Wounaan canoe ceremony Haai Hi Jeujem, a flower-adorned canoe becomes a sacred vessel—carrying prayers to God and words to ancestors. It’s a journey inward, guided by tradition.

Aulina Opua Elected as National Wounaan Chief

A Historic Moment for Women in Indigenous Leadership In a traditional ceremony held in the Wounaan community of Puerto Lara, Aulina Ismare Opua was inaugurated as the new Cacica Wounaan (National Chief)—a milestone for the Wounaan people and for Indigenous...

Crabbing in Maje Village

A crabbing trip in Maje turned into a lesson in Wounaan resourcefulness—from spearfishing on the river to smoked fish at sunrise. It’s the kind of memory that stays with you.

Domesticated parrot perched on beam inside traditional Wounaan home in Panama rainforest village

Lovejoy, the House Parrot

In a village where even the dogs stay outside, one animal lives indoors: a flightless parrot named Lovejoy. He climbs the walls, shares our meals, and watches the sunset from the roof—quietly becoming one of my favorite parts of the day.

Along the River: Traditions of the Embera

The Embera people of Panama live along the rivers of the Darién, where tradition flows through daily life. From genip dye body art to silver coin necklaces passed down through generations, their culture is rooted in rhythm, craft, and deep connection to the land

small clams, easy to gather by hand and soak overnight

Clams, Crabs, and the Forest Table

While waiting for the tide, we forage clams, watch kids chase river crabs, and witness daily life in a Wounaan village—where food and craft are shared across generations.

Coconut Soccer on the Beach

Traveling to the Wounaan village of Maje means a six-hour boat ride through the Darién rainforest. From river tides to fuel planning, even the journey is part of the story.

A Taste of the Darién

On long days spent in the village—walking under the sun, talking, weaving—something sweet and fresh is always welcome. A few of our favorite local treats? Sugar cane and oranges. Here in the Darién, the oranges don’t look like you’d expect....

View Curated Collections

Handwoven basket from Colombia’s Wounaan artists featuring palm fiber and copper wire detailing — part of RFB Woven Art’s Copper Collection

Copper Collection: Woven with Fire.

Tall sculptural woven baskets from Ghana and Rwanda with wavy and textured shapes, handcrafted with elephant grass and sisal — RFB Woven Art collection

Tall. Wavy. Wild. Woven.

Handwoven Wounaan basket from Panama with fine stitches and natural dye patterns, part of the RFB Woven Art collection of Indigenous woven sculpture

Rainforest Baskets: Obsessively Handwoven

Embera woven hummingbird and toucan masks handmade with palm fiber and natural dyes in Panama — symbolic Indigenous bird masks by RFB Woven Art

Bird Masks: Woven Sharp.