The Shipibo are noted for a rich and complex cosmology, which is tied directly to the art and artifacts they produce.

Doña Teolinda and Amelia Rengifo Sanchez are sisters. Their livelihood depends on the appreciation that tourists have of their ancestral art form. As I became mesmerized by the intricate and very complex designs we spoke at length. They explained how their designs are inspired by visions during Ayahuasca induced hallucinations. The skills necessary to produce this art is passed from generation to generation. The tapestries are all made by hand and each and everyone of them are unique in the world. No two are alike.

Doña Teolinda speaks Shipibo and very little Spanish. She explained how tourists do not understand that these tapestries are not manufactured by machine. Because they only see the utilitarian functionality of these covers they are oblivious to the fact that they are witnessing in front of them a very unique and ancient art form. Because of this they haggle constantly not understanding that these indigenous people are pouring their life into one of these works of art.

Doña Teolinda and her sister Amelia explained that it takes them about 2 months working 4hrs/day to produce one of these tapestries. When they said 4hrs, I asked why so little? Then they said: because the rest of the time we are just traveling back and forth from the city to our homes in the jungle and walking non-stop to show our crafts to as many people as possible.

The Shipibo-Conibo live in the 21st century while keeping one foot in the past spanning millennia in the Amazonian rainforest. Many of their traditions are still practiced, such as Ayahuasca shamanism. Shamanistic songs have inspired artistic tradition and decorative designs found in their clothing, pottery, tools and textiles. Some of the urbanized people live around Pucallpa in the Yarina Cocha, an extensive indigenous zone. Most others live in scattered villages over a large area of jungle forest extending from Brazil to Equador. Shipibo-Conibo women make beadwork and textiles They come to Iquitos in order to sell their wares to tourists.

Since there has been drought followed by flooding, most of the mature fruit trees have died, and some of the banana trees and plantains are struggling. Global increases in energy and food prices have increased due to deforestation and erosion along the Ucayali River. The basic needs of the people are more important now than ever, which affects their long term planning abilities. There is now a sense that hunger may not be that far off for those in the farther reaches of the Shipibo nation.

IF YOU APPRECIATE THEIR ART... BUY SOME AND FEEL PROUD THAT YOU ARE RIGHTFULLY CONTRIBUTING TO THESE GENTLE PEOPLE'S SURVIVAL...

Thank you

If you would like to purchase one of these original covers outside Peru please contact me at starlite@excite.com.

This video is copyright protected 07/02/12

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