Embera Animal Masks
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. This tradition of mask usage is akin to the concept of ‘smudging,’ which involves burning herbal bundles to purify a living space.
Traditional techniques and craftsmanship preserved
In the heart of the Darien rainforests in southern Panama, the women of the Emberá tribe craft unique animal masks by hand, weaving them from dyed, split palm leaves in their homes. Traditionally, these masks were used by Emberá shamans—spiritual leaders who connect the physical and spirit worlds—in rituals for healing and cleansing.
During these ceremonies, the masks were displayed on the walls and ceilings of the huts where the rituals took place, and afterward, they were burned. Today, while the masks are still used for ritual purposes, they are also created for commercial sale, with the traditional techniques and craftsmanship preserved.
Vital income for the Emberá community
The creation process is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Palm leaves are gathered from the forest and sun-dried for three to four days to lighten their natural color. These leaves are then dyed with natural pigments derived from roots and wood before being woven into the final mask, each representing a playful animal figure.
The sale of these masks provides vital income for the Emberá community, particularly for the women who use the earnings to send their children to school. Due to the remote location of the village, children over the age of eight must travel to neighboring villages or small cities to continue their education, which incurs additional expenses for travel and lodging during the school week. The income generated from mask-making helps families afford these costs and gives their children the opportunity to pursue an education.
Frequently asked questions
Jen and Ed collaborate closely with skilled weavers and their representatives in each country from which we source our pieces.
Through these direct relationships, we've established meaningful connections with artisans and trusted individuals who represent their countries and tribes with authenticity and respect. Every piece is thoughtfully selected and approved by us personally—whether we bring it back from an in-person visit with the artists or receive it through regular shipments from our trusted partners.
We honor the prices set by the weavers themselves, ensuring that every commissioned basket is truly “fairly traded.”
Our artist-patron approach is built on direct, supportive relationships with weavers and their families, supporting them consistently through the months, and sometimes years, it takes to create each museum-quality basket. We believe that artisans should be compensated promptly for their work, without undue delay.
These skilled weavers are knowledgeable about the value of their craft in U.S. dollars and understand the worth of their time and talent. The growing number of men joining the weaving community shows the art’s increasing value compared to other forms of work. In fact, some weavers now command thousands of dollars for their finest pieces, reflecting the respect and value placed on their craftsmanship.
Purchase woven art because you love it, not simply for its potential to appreciate in value. However, as demand grows for high-quality, handcrafted basketry and supply remains naturally limited, prices have been rising substantially year after year.
We can gain insight into the future value of woven art by looking at trends with vintage and antique Native American baskets, which often fetch thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. A collectible work of art gains value based on market perceptions of its uniqueness, cultural significance, and craftsmanship, both now and in the future.
There is a limited number of skilled weavers capable of producing fine basketry, and even fewer who are true masters of this art. If weaving skills are not passed down through generations, and supplies of raw materials are affected by environmental challenges, previously made baskets could become even more valuable over time.
