Dimensions (height x width x depth): 40 x 40 x 125 cm
Origin : Mehinako ethnic group - Xingú National Park (Southern part of the Brazilian Amazon)
Weight : 30 kg
History : The Mehinako are an Arawak-speaking people, inhabiting the Xingú Indigenous Park (one of the largest indigenous parks in the world), which is home to people of different languages. They therefore belong to a broad multi-ethnic complex whose inhabitants share not only the territory, but also different cultural practices, celebrating rituals together, marrying each other, exchanging food and objects.
Excellent artisans, the Mehinako preserve their traditional artifacts. The men are responsible for making the benches, oars, masks and beijú paddles, in addition to the final tying of the baskets. Women weave the threads and produce nets, baskets and mats.
Traditional benches, called xepí, are zoomorphic (animal shapes). Among the most represented animals are the anteater, monkey, tapir, jaguar and birds, which are carved from a single tree trunk and decorated with natural pigments taken from pequi (yellow), annatto and mãwatan wood. (red) and iurilo wood and coal (black).
Mehinako benches are considered the most beautiful among all those produced by the various indigenous peoples of Brazil, forming part of several private collections and museums around the world.
Note : Because they are produced by hand, each piece is unique, with no two being exactly the same. There may be small variations in dimensions (more or less), colors and tones between pieces and between what is perceived on cell phone or computer screens and the real pieces. If you have any questions about any details, send us a message and we will be happy to resolve them.
Find out more about the Mehinako at https://pib.socioambiental.org...
