Rainforest Baskets

13″ W x 13″ H, constructed over 14 months by Wounaan master weaver Brisaidita Mejia. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm. The newest, softest green palm fronds are shredded by hand, extracting the internal fibers as thin as thread. After drying in the sun, these fibers are dyed in mixtures created using roots, berries and seed pods, all-naturally sourced vegetal colors.

Black swirly Greek keys on white alternate with brown rows filled in with black and white triangles. 8″ W x 8″ H by Deysi Cabezon. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm.

Finely woven black and brown feather design, originating from a chicken feather (!). The edges of the feather create tight sharp points as they wrap around the sides of this angled piece. Tapered dramatically towards a very tiny base. The top is finished with a row of diamonds. 12″ W x 14″ H, by weaver Sara Jinguimia. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm.

Wiggly octopus (pulpo) wrap around the sides and crawl in-between brown and gray coral. Each octopus has exactly eight legs, twisting and curling around. Brown and gray coral are outlined in a thin black line. Completed at the top with a line of triangles. This is a spectacular motif created by a master weaver Maruja. Her stitching is tiny and straight, and all the details are executed perfectly. 14″ W x 14″ H, by Maruja Membache. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm.

A bird-filled rainforest motif with a packed scene of birds in a thick greenery. Four brown branches grow up from the base, and macaws, curly-tiled quetzals, and striped trogons all perch around the branches . Densely packed with lots of tree limbs and leaves, this is finished at the top with a beautiful colorful design. 13″ W x 11″ H, by Wounaan weaver Venancia Membache. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm.

Colorful birds in blue, green, cream, and crimson swarm around a red heliconia vine. The vine shows flowers sprouting in red and tipped with yellow, set on a green branch that sprouts from the base. 7″ W x 9″ H by Somonita Chamapuro. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm. The newest, softest green palm fronds are shredded by hand, extracting the internal fibers as thin as thread. After drying in the sun, these fibers are dyed in mixtures created using roots, berries and seed pods, all-naturally sourced vegetal colors. Chunga is so closely linked to Wounaan tradition and daily life that, when it comes to the creation of Hösig Di (the Wounmeu term for their fine baskets), each basket is believed to begin with an inherent spiritual quality. Further to this point, the women who weave them are often called “spirit weavers”.

A masterpiece in motif and shape. This grande-sized piece has a slight taper at the base, but a nice round shape. Decorated with traditional fish hook designs alternating with rows of Greek Keys in squared angles. 12″ W x 14″ H, by Wounaan weaver Iliana Jinguimia. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm.

Padded black paws climb up the sides of this pretty tapered piece. Finished at the top with a thin line of black. 5″ W x 6″ H by Iliana Jinguimia. In Wounmeu, the language of the Wounaan, there is a special name for fine traditional coil-construction palm-fiber baskets — hösig di. Expert weavers stitch silk-fine strands of the black palm they call chunga, brilliantly or subtly colored with vegetal and organic dyes, over coils of naguala palm.