“Riverstripe” — Embera Horse Mask by Erenia Cabrera
Unfolding with the deliberate power of a jungle current, Riverstripe is a monumental horse mask handwoven over six months by master Embera artist Erenia Cabrera. At 17" wide by 32" high, it commands presence—not just in size, but in spirit.
Cabrera channels the vitality of the horse into a labyrinth of coiled black-and-ivory stripes that flow like braided water across the long, sculptural face. From the arched snout to the rounded ears, every contour is precise, yet pulsing with life. A dramatic ivory mane, hand-shredded from chunga palm, flares upward—wild, kinetic, and uncontainable.
The Embera tradition reveres the horse not only as a symbol of strength and movement, but as a vessel of balance between worlds—between earth and energy, action and stillness. Riverstripe holds that tension with grace, a piece that feels ancient and assertively modern.
Too large to ignore and too intricate to glance past, this mask isn’t just a tribute to the animal—it’s a woven force.
Details
- Dimensions: 17" W x 32" H
- Origin: Handwoven in Panama
- Artisan: Erenia Cabrera, Embera weaver
- Materials: Chunga palm fiber, natural dyes
- Technique: Coiled basketry with fiber fringe
- Animal Representation: Horse
- Symbolism: Power, direction, vitality
- Uniqueness: One of a kind; six months to complete
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.
preserving
Traditional techniques & craftsmanship
crafted by hand
Woven from dyed, split palm leaves
helping families
