Wounaan Rainforest Baskets
Wounaan rainforest baskets are exquisite, handwoven creations made by the Wounaan Indigenous people of the Darién Rainforest in Panama. These baskets, known as Rainforest Baskets, are crafted from sustainably harvested palm fibers. They are dyed with natural colors, displaying intricate, geometric, and nature-inspired designs that reflect the rainforest environment. Each basket can take weeks or even months to complete, symbolizing a deep connection with the natural world and Wounaan heritage.
Revered works of art
Wounaan Rainforest Baskets gain their inspiration from the nature that surrounds them and the geometric patterns of pre-Colombian body painting. The talented women who weave these baskets often incorporate ancient pottery designs and renditions of exotic plant and animal life surrounding them in the Darién rainforest.
Using needles to sew only the supplest of fibers from the native Werregue palm (also called Chunga) and Naguala palms, each basket can take months, or even years, to complete. The pieces reflect an impressive range of colors, stemming from the natural hues of local seeds, roots, berries, fruits, flowers, leaves and other native flora.
Hösig Di, the term for the finest Wounaan baskets
The Wounaan and Emberá Indians who “weave” Hösig Di were once called “Choco,” after the province in which they lived. Regarded today for their intricate design more than their function, this craft is still passed down from mother to daughter in these indigenous tribes—and are primarily handmade in the remote villages of the Darién rainforest.
Prior to 1982, weavers of Hösig Di incorporated little to no décor – most baskets were a plain, off-white color, the color of sun-bleached palm materials. This all changed with a few very important influencers who lived near and among the Wounaan. Ron Binder, a professor studying Chocó language groups with the Summer Institute of Linguistics, and Ellie Gale, an important collector who worked with members of the Panama Canal, both encouraged these talented women to incorporate aspects of their cultural history.
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.
