Embera Chamí Tribe
In Colombia, Along the Coastal Pacific Basin of Choco and surrounding lands that encompass Risaralda located in the western central region of the country and part of the Paisa region lives the fascinating Indigenous community Embera Chamí (Embera = People, Chamí = Mountains), they are one of the largest native groups in existence within the country who still speak their traditional dialect and practice their ancestral expressions of spirituality actively.
Despite the conflictive situation they must face as product of political affairs in the country the Embera Chamí people have proven to be an extremely resilient community who continuously adapt to their surroundings to ensure the survival and preservation of its people.A large portion that contributes to their main survival is based in creation of intrinsicate jewelry, a traditional beading technique & skill passed to them generation to generation.
The Embera people showcase their art in physical form with miniature glass beads. They elaborate gorgeous pieces using geometrical patterns that display dream visions and reflect their ancestral beliefs of connection to their mother “Earth”, the symbolism and meaning each individual piece portrays also conveys a message regarding the emotional state of the Native artisan such as bliss, joy, healing, using the different colors as if “painting” with each weave of the thread and beads.
This traditional jewelry not only adorns the body but also is belied to enhance the spiritual protection of the wearer, such as necklaces named “Okamas” traditionally weaved for women typically with circular geometrical shapes and “Otapas” for the man incorporating an array of straight lines are worn during their ceremonial practices and serve the individual as an amulet to navigate their spiritual realms granting them the ability to amplify communication with the spirits of the universe and their cosmic deities.
Inga Kamentsa Tribe
In the Putumayo region of Colombia, bordering Ecuador and Peru is the homeland to Indigenous groups such as Siona & Inga Kamënsá, They are masters in the elaboration of Ceremonial objects that serve as vehicles to establish clearer communication with the spiritual planes of consciousness.
Masks traditionally carved from wood and adorned with colorful “walkas” or beads to represent the “Pintas” or visions that are channeled to the natives during their healing rituals.
The figures incarnate traditional characters such as Shamans, forces of Light & Darkness, carriers of Good and Evil, Cosmology amongst others who’s powers are blended with Jaguar Imagery, Macaw birds, and Feather imprints. The objects are believed to ward off evil and attract good fortune. All the colors allude to the “Pintas” of Yagé and the objects evoke the forces of Nature.
Aside from wood carving the Inga Kamentsa are highly skilled in the elaboration of sacred shamanic tools used for rituals and every day protection. "Chumbes" hand woven protection belts and "Mochilas" have written patterns inspired by the plant medicine journeys. "Raddles" ceremonial instruments "tepis" & "kuripes" used to deepen the connection with Hapé are also used during the exploration of spiritual realms and frequency alterialtering states.
Andinas Coffee
Cultivated in the Andean Ridge Mountains of South America, in the historical town of Zapatoca, Santander, Colombia. Known worldwide as the"Silk Climate City" at an altitude over 6,000ft. Hand by Craft is proud to create an alliance with Andinas Coffee and introduce to the U.S, the Craftsmanship & and Exclusive Experience, Fine taste and complex Aromas of the most Iconically grown Colombian Coffee.
Grown under principles of Permaculture, Andinas Coffee has incorporated sustainable agricultural practices ading the enviroment by implementing Biodynamic principles and ensuring an Organic production putting nutrition back into the soil and health into the hands of the final cosumer.
Andinas Coffee also has taken full production back into the farm taking full control of growing, harvesting, roasting and packaging serving as an example of innovation, empowerment and enviroment consciousness.
Low Acidity, Cero Chemicals, No Bitterness or Heavy Crash. Colombian Coffee back to its roots.
Guacamayas Basketry
Rolled weaved basketry has its origins dating back to pre colonial times, this particular technique was developed by the indigenous people of the region. The Lache were an indigenous, agrarian community in the highlands of what is now central Colombia's northern Boyacá, they specialized in trade that included salt and textiles, as well as food. The Lache farmed corn, potatoes, quinoa and cotton, among other crops.
After the Catholic persecution exterminated their population the only surviving skill was their weaving, they taught the colonizers the technique and this was passed down generation by generation leaving to modern day a few hundred artisans in existence.The Rolled Basketry has 2 main components “Fique” (variety plant of the agave family) and “Straw” which constitutes the “soul” or structure of the basket, the process consists of gathering the materials from the natural environment and processing the Fique until a malleable fiber is obtained. Through refinery the fiber is naturally colored and sorted from fine to coarse. The straw is then picked and sorted by length and flexibility, made into “bundles” to get ready for the Fique weaving in spiral motion with the help of a thick needle, which originally was a animal bone carved needle.
The popular stories attribute spiritual properties to this technique as the spiral motion and the geometrical weaving of the colored Fique is said to be used by the original natives as a form of meditation, beautifying and connecting symbolically with one’s Soul.
Rolled weaved basketry is now recognized by the country as a “product of origin” and has become the staple of Boyaca’s artisanal treasures, bringing pride to the 1700 habitants of Guacamayas and showcasing worldwide the Indigenous tradition that lives through time by each thread.Every individual piece is unique, varying slightly in shape, patters and colors, carrying the energetic imprint of the ancestors who have come before us and have left this legacy. It is Hand by Craft’s effort to create an open channel to maintain the craft’s life by acting as a portal to link the Ancestral Tradition of the living Latch Tribe through the hands of a pueblo who carry in blood and spirit their legend.
