Name: Jungle Insect Geometry Wounaan Basket
Brand: One-of-a-kind | Woven in Panama
SKU: SWA-009
Price: 195.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Side view of handwoven basket showing insect motif framed in geometric patterns.

Large Wounaan basket featuring insect figures and geometric labyrinths.

Bottom of basket with radiating star and insect symbols in woven palm fiber

Wounaan basket with insect and geometric designs in dark brown on natural palm background.

One-of-a-kind | Handcrafted in Panama

$195.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Alive with movement, this handwoven Wounaan basket features bold insect motifs framed within striking geometric labyrinths. The contrast of natural palm fiber and deep chocolate dye creates a dynamic pattern that reflects both rainforest life and ancestral design language. Each figure is meticulously woven with split palm fiber, a process that takes months of dedicated artistry.

Dimensions	7" W x 8" H
Origin	Handwoven in Panama
Materials	Palm fiber, natural dyes

Handwoven in Panama by

Wounaan Weavers of the Darién

No. of Artisans

Over 50-75+

Origin

Darién Rainforest, Panama

Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Every Wounaan basket is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families and preserve tradition.

The Story

Handmade by the rural Wounaan tribe, each basket is more than an object—it is a living thread in an ancient tradition. For generations, Wounaan families of the Darién rainforest have practiced the intricate art of weaving, passing knowledge from elder to apprentice, palm frond to palm frond.

Every material is gathered from the rainforest itself. Palm fibers are cut, stripped, and dyed with pigments drawn from leaves, roots, seeds, and bark. Masks and baskets are both shaped with similar weaving techniques—tight coils and precise stitches that demand patience and vision. Even the carvings that accompany some works are drawn from the wood surrounding each artist’s village, connecting object to place in the most literal sense.

The result is art that is deeply rooted in its origin: vibrant, resilient, and bound to the natural rhythms of the forest. Each piece embodies not only the creative hand of the weaver but also the enduring spirit of the Darién itself.

The Making

Inspired by the rainforest and by pre-Colombian body painting, each basket is a dialogue between tradition and the natural world. Weavers stitch with fine needles and the most supple fibers of the werregue and naguala palms—materials prepared, softened, and dyed with pigments drawn from seeds, roots, and leaves. Months, and often years, go into a single piece, each coil revealing echoes of ancient pottery, wild plant life, and the patient rhythm of hand and thread.

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.

Jungle Insect Geometry Wounaan Basket