Amazon Fiber Arts
January 29th to February 12th, 2011
This fiber arts workshop in the Amazon offered a unique opportunity to explore the richness and variety of traditional Amazonian indigenous fiber materials and techniques, while engaging in a creative dialogue with aboriginal master weavers.
Participants were introduced to aboriginal Amazonian fiber arts: from artifacts to architecture, from utilitarian to the symbolic dimension, the art of weaving and the art of thinking. We collaborated with master weavers from Tikuna and Huitoto communities. A variety of fiber sources were studied: vines, bark, palm wood and leaves, and the natural dyes that are used by the local artisans, most of them collected while hiking Calanoa's reserve.
We wove palm leaves for the new kitchen’s roof, made strong twine from tender palm leaves or paper from tree bark. Through demonstration and practice, we had the opportunity to appreciate the value of fiber arts in the life of an Amazonian people.
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COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS TRAVELERS:
What a wonderful experience this has been!! Delicious meals, weaving with Matilde & Consuelo. All have been kind and welcoming! Carol Dodd, Salt Spring Island, BC
A uniquely special time with uniquely special people. Melanie & Steven, Salt Spring Island, BC
....Amazonas is an adventure you don't want to miss. The sights, sounds and smells of the jungle, the fresh organic food, the kind and generous people living along the river and the opportunity to experience different cultures make this a place you will want to return to. This is not a 5-star all inclusive hotel kind of vacation, it is, however very safe and comfortable. You will feel like part of the family by the end of the week. Don’t let your fear keep you from experiencing this amazing place. Martina Black, Roberts Creek, BC
... My most treasured memories are of traveling along the river and visiting the small native villages. The Sampers had arranged jungle walks in the surrounding forest accompanied by native guides who were most knowledgeable in the use of both food and medicinal plants. On the last night of our stay in Amazonas we camped along the river and slept in hammocks covered with mosquito netting - a most memorable experience. Corene Lindsay, Gibsons, BC
We had a really great time at Calanoa and enjoyed every minute of our time at the Amazon! We had a perfect team. We experienced, saw and learned a lot of our guides in the nature and in the communities. Thank you very much for arranging this and giving us the opportunity to stay at Calanoa, which was an ideal base also to stay and to visit many sites by boat or by foot.
Ulrich Schmid, Germany
From Lonely Planet:
"Colombia’s back. After decades of civil conflict, Colombia is now safe to visit and travelers are discovering what they’ve been missing. The diversity of the country may astonish you. Modern cities with skyscrapers and nightclubs? Check. Gorgeous Caribbean beaches? Check. Jungle walks and Amazon safaris? Check. Colonial cities, archaeological ruins, high-mountain trekking, whalewatching, coffee plantations, scuba diving, surfing, the list goes on..." read more>>
