Dimensions (height x diameter): 13 x 11 cm
Weight : 25 g
Origin : Baniwa ethnic group - Amazon
History : The Baniwa (read Baniuá) live in villages on the border of Brazil with Colombia and Venezuela. They are excellent at making baskets using the stem of the arumã (an herbaceous plant), vines, dyes and natural fixatives. Basketry is rich in graphics, and this ancient art has been passed down through generations. Each graphic has a specific representation, which can be the pattern on the back of a type of beetle, the trail of an animal or simply the representation of a movement made by indigenous people in their daily tasks.
“urutus” (baskets) are used by the Baniwa to transport cassava (a root that is one of their main foods), fish and other foods. The making of the baskets begins with the harvesting of arumã straw. In the forest, they select only the stems in good condition and perform the first scraping to remove the green skin. The dyeing is done with ash, which gives the black color, and with annatto fruit, which gives the reddish color. After dyeing, the arumã still needs to be shredded and opened into thinner rods for braiding. For each piece, 150 to 200 splints are used, which are braided into the most diverse patterns. Today, more than 20 different designs are known, the so-called graphic syllables.
Urutús can only be used as decorative objects or as magazine holders, object holders, clothes baskets, etc.
