Kené art, a cultural treasure crafted by the women of the Shipibo-Konibo community in the Peruvian Amazonia, takes center stage at the latest edition of Ruraq Maki fair (Handmade in quechua language), that is being held at the Ministry of Culture headquarters in the San Borja district, Lima city.
This event provides a platform to explore the profound significance of this traditional art form and interact with master artisans showcasing their intricate creations. This edition of the Ruraq Maki fair is named Tajimat Pujut (good living in Awajún languge).
One of the featured artisans, Maribel Sánchez Bartra, president of the Inin Kena Association from the Santa Teresita native community in Pucallpa, is making her debut at Ruraq Maki. She explains the unique essence of Kené art, offering a glimpse into its rich cultural heritage.
“Kené art is about depicting designs and figures from our region’s unique iconography on our faces, bodies, the outer surfaces of ceramics, textiles, shaman crowns, bead bands, paddles, and other wooden items,” she states.
This iconography is enhanced by the use of natural dyes derived from plants, seeds, cotton, tree bark, and roots, such as mahogany, which provide natural pigmentation for the textiles. These are displayed and sold at Peru’s most important traditional art exhibition (Ruraq Maki).
In the Nasca Room at the Ministry of Culture, Sánchez showcases an array of garments featuring Amazonian designs. These include dresses, animal-themed blankets, and table runners, perfect for use or to show an elegant decoration.
Prices range from S/80 (US$ 21) for shirts to S/150 (US$ 40) for dresses and S/15–350 (US$ 4 –92) for blankets and table runners.
In the same room, the Menin Yabi community from Ucayali offers a variety of handmade embroidered shirts with vibrant colors, as well as seed necklaces, beaded earrings, skirts, bracelets, and rugs; all part of Kené art. Prices range from S/15–450 (US$ 4 – 118).
The artisans emphasize that their pieces are unique and require a detailed crafting process involving time and resources. Through their work, these women support their families in their native communities.
Meanwhile, in Kuélap 2 Room, Sadith and Olinda Silvano from the Koshi Kené Collective of the Shipibo-Konibo people of Loreto offer beautifully crafted garments and accessories, all made with exceptional skill.
The Shipibo-Konibo artisans invite the public to visit their exhibits at this edition of Ruraq Maki and purchase items crafted by local artisans.
About Ruraq Maki
Ruraq Maki. Tajimat Pujut is a tribute to Peru's cultural diversity and a commitment to its artisanal communities. This year’s edition, under the concept of Tajimat Pujut —meaning “Good Living” in the Awajún indigenous language—, expands its reach to new traditional expressions and knowledge, enriching the perception of Peru's cultural heritage.
Visitors can explore traditional textiles, ceramics, engraved gourds, natural fiber weaving, goldsmithing, Sarhua boards, Ayacucho altarpieces, leatherwork, traditional toys, figurines, stone carving, and more.
Art lovers can visit this fair at the Ministry of Culture located at Javier Prado Este Avenue 2465, San Borja, Lima, until December 22. Opening hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Kené art of the Shipibo-Konibo people was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation by Ministerial Resolution No. 540/INC-2008 on April 16, 2008, as a cultural expression that encapsulates their worldview, knowledge, and aesthetics, and stands as their primary identity marker in the face of Western society.
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Published: 12/18/2024