People in the Amazon depend on many resources from the forest, fields and rivers...
February 28, 2017
People in the Amazon depend on many resources from the forest, fields and rivers for their food. These include the beautiful striped catfish called sungaro, the armored carachama and plantains. I enjoyed them all during my recent visit to the village of Chino on the Tahuayo River - the same place where artisans make beautiful woven baskets and other crafts. Please check them out at www.AmazonForestStore.org.
"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."