The Waoranis conform a community in the Amazon that lives clung to their lifestyle, customs and beliefs. They reside in the unexplored ancestral territories of the Provinces of Napo, Pastaza, and Orellana, and from there they have spread their culture and art through their crafts, which are made with natural fibers.
Historically, the Waoranis were known as “aucas”, which means “savage and wild people” in Kichwa. Currently this community is synonym of guardians and defenders of nature. Just two generations ago they lived naked in the vast and impenetrable forest, covered with humidity.
Recently the Waorani women have acquired a relevant role at home, through the hand-crafting activity that has been implemented with a micro-business vision. An example of this are the 350 women from various Waorani communities in the Provinces of Napo and Pastaza who have come together to form the Asociación Waorani de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana. They are in charge of the projects for the elaboration of crafts and of the nurseries for native plants, which serve as raw materials for their crafts. They make use of their manual skills and crate for their homes –with amazing originality- decorations and objects with plan fibers, fruit seeds, barks from trees, and animal teeth…
All of their materials come from nature, and that is why it is believed that these materials have “protective powers” against bad spirits and external illnesses. They offer beautiful earrings, necklaces, key rings, baskets, and spears…The main raw material is the chambira plant, which in the pas used to be harvested from the jungle, and now it is planted in the nurseries in order to facilitate the acquisition of this plant fiber. Manuela Ima, Project Director, told us that they are always receiving training on the new weaving techniques, so they can obtain fine quality and beauty with each craft.
Besides, they have crated the “Waorani, handmade” brand. For María Ponluisa, in this way they can conquer the feminine coquetry and improve their income.
In 2006, the Association opened an ethnic art store in Puyo (Av. Atahualpa and General Villamil), which gathers 150 artisans from the different communities of Napo and Pastaza, such as Piñampari, Puerto Pitacocha, and Tepapare…located three hours, walking, towards the heart of the forest. The Association buys the pieces of art and sells them to the public in the established stores. In small quantities they also export their crafts to other countries, through orders.
70% of the profits are distributed among the partners and the rest is used to cover the administrative expenses. There are items that cost from $2.50 to $35, depending on the size and how detailed they are. Their hammocks also range from $30 to $80. Ponluisa told us that the Association has participated in different fairs, such as the CIDAP Fair in Cuenca and others fairs organized by public institutions.
For Ima, the Earth is like our mother and we should respect her and take care of her. That is why they only take the raw materials they need and they avoid wasting as much as possible. She is proud of wearing the typical outfit (a crown decorated with bird feather), which is traditionally worn for special ceremonies and rituals. If you buy these crafts, you will be contributing to the economy of more than one hundred Waorani women, as well as to the conservation of their culture and tropical forests.
To Know
It is calculated that in the Amazon there are 2,500 Waoranis who live off hunting and fishing. As a complement for their income, many people also cultivate a type of cocoa beans that has a fine scent. The Puyo store is open to the public from Monday to Friday, in the first floor of Gran Hotel Amazónico. Romelia Papué assists clients there. The phone number is: 032 888909; and at the Coca store, Diana García helps the customers. The phone number in Coca is: 062 883590.
Some Waorani families practice community tourism in the towns. There, the visitor will discover the lifestyle of this ethnic group, their relationship with nature, their habitat, and the vast forests that shelter their rivers.