“Midnight Crest” — Embera Hummingbird Mask by Erenia Cabrera
Handcrafted in panama
With deep cobalt symmetry and a shock of wild fringe, Midnight Crest captures the silent mystery of a hummingbird moving through moonlight. This 6" wide by 17" high woven mask is the work of Embera artist Erenia Cabrera, whose mastery in coiled chunga weaving translates natural wonder into tangible spirit.
The face is built of layered diamond motifs in ocean blue, ochre, and cream—evoking wings tucked in motion or eyes watching from dense canopy shadows. A ruff of dyed fiber flares across the crown like a restless breeze, its streaks of white and indigo suggesting the blur of nocturnal flight. Cabrera finishes the cheek with a radiant sunburst eye—framed in chartreuse and obsidian—offering the single glint of color seen as the bird vanishes into dark.
In Embera cosmology, the hummingbird is a sacred traveler between worlds, known to pierce darkness with beauty and bring light to unseen spaces. Midnight Crest honors that mythic role, balancing earthly material with ancestral imagination.
This is not just a mask—it’s a guardian spirit, a piece of the forest’s secret story.
Details:
- Dimensions: 6" W x 17" H
- Origin: Handwoven in Panama
- Artisan: Erenia Cabrera, Embera weaver
- Materials: Chunga palm fiber, natural and synthetic dyes, dyed fringe
- Technique: Coiled palm weaving
- Animal Representation: Hummingbird
- Symbolism: Mystery, sacred motion, night vision
- Uniqueness: One of a kind
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.
Handwoven in panama by
Emberá Tribe Craftsmen
No. of Artisansdozens of artists across multiple communities |
OriginRainforests of eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia |
Fairly Made. Community Driven.
Each Embera Animal mask is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families, preserve tradition, and sustain local economies.
Each piece is handwoven over many months using natural fibers and plant-based dyes. To protect its color and structure, we recommend displaying your woven art away from direct sunlight or skylights, as UV exposure can fade dyes and weaken fibers over time.
In very dry climates, you may occasionally mist the inside lightly with distilled or non-chlorinated water—similar to caring for wicker or rattan. Gently blot away any excess with a paper towel to help maintain the fiber’s natural balance.
