About the Artisans

Known for their extra fine stitches and detailed motifs, Panama's finest Rainforest Baskets are hand woven by the Wounaan Indigenous people of the Darién Rainforest.

Baskets can take weeks, months, or even years to complete, symbolizing a deep connection with the natural world and Wounaan heritage.

Emberá shamans, known as jaibaná, incorporate various figures and visages into their healing and cleansing ceremonies.

These woven masks and animal representations encircle the hut where curative rituals unfold, serving to dispel the malevolent spirits believed to be the source of illness or misfortune.

Ghana Elephant Grass baskets are unique vessels, stunning in their organic shape, staggering size, and natural pigment. The intricate patterns and forms are carefully designed, with a thoughtful selection of botanical color combinations.

Werregue baskets, meticulously crafted by the Wounaan Indigenous communities of Colombia’s Pacific region, are celebrated for their bold structure, intricate detail, and deep cultural significance.

Colombian Wounaan baskets are identified by their modern designs and shapes, thick coils and wide stitches, most recently weaving with spooled copper wire to create bright shiny designs.

Rwanda's unique double-layered technique, using bamboo and straw fibers in a wedge weave, creates bold, geometric designs inspired by the country’s natural landscape. Crafted from Sweet Grass, Bamboo, and Sisal from pounded Agave, these elegant baskets showcase Rwanda’s artistry and connection to nature.

Wounaan artisans carefully select pieces of cocobolo for its vibrant colors—ranging from deep oranges and reds to dark browns—and intricate natural patterns.

Using traditional hand-carving techniques, they transform the wood into lifelike sculptures, often depicting the flora and fauna of the rainforest, including jaguars, birds, and butterflies, as well as symbolic shapes and figures.