Yagua family in Santa Lucia de Pro. Photo by Anna Loshkin/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Yagua artisan at Santa Lucia de Pro. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Traditional masks made from calabash fruit pods. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Yagua artisan Mariela from San José de Piri with woven doll hammock. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Bora native artisan Camila and grand-daughter in Puca Urquillo. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Bora native artisan Pedro with calabash Amazon wildlife ornamentsin Puca Urquillo. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Ocaina native artisan Pamela hanging yellow dyed chambira palm fiber in Nueva Esperanza, Peru. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Ocaina native artisan Rosa weaving chambira palm fiber bag in Nueva Esperanza, Peru. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
Huitoto native artisan Cherly Flores Ribeira with armadillo ornament in Puca Urquillo, Peru. Photo by Campbell Plowden/Center for Amazon Community Ecology
"While concepts like punctuality, mutual respect, no put downs of self or others, and listening when someone else is speaking may seem like obvious guidelines to form a positive community, a commitment to actually practice and hold each other accountable to observe these agreements is profound in a culture where showing up late, malicious gossip, and interrupting a speaker are painfully common."
"Artisan facilitators should of course share what they know, but beginning and experienced artisans all benefit by remaining humble, enthusiastic about learning, and committed to encourage and affirm their fellow artisans. So many artisans said that the thing they most wanted to bring back to their communities was this spirit of working in a mutually supportive environment."
"Both men and women wore garb made with bleached llanchama tree bark painted with graphic figures from Bora clans. Several wore headdresses made with the feathers from macaws and parrots. They discussed the importance of nature and craft-making in their culture and then launched into a lively dance where the men chanted and pounded sticks into the ground to the rhythm of moving around in a circle. Visitors joined the undulating lines to share the vibrant energy."