Open Ears Monkey

Preserving Tradition & Craftsmanship

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.

Stitched over many months and years from natural fibers and organic dyes, your handmade woven art should be displayed proudly, away from any windows and skylights. The ultra-violet rays of direct sun and strong light can cause the saturated natural dyes in textile and fiber art to fade, and can even damage the fibers themselves.

If your woven art resides with you in the desert or other dry environments, you may feel better occasionally misting it (as often done to wicker or rattan) inside with distilled or non-chlorinated tap water. Using a paper towel, gently pat any excess moisture from the interior.

From the most diminutive baskets, scarcely larger than a thimble, to magnificent creations spanning three feet in width, painstakingly crafted over the course of eight years, RFB proudly imports an expansive range of woven masterpieces.

In collaboration with our esteemed local partners, we undertake extensive journeys to personally engage with weavers. These voyages involve meticulous inspections of works in progress, as well as the evaluation of recently finished pieces prepared for shipment.