Dimensions (height x width x depth): 11 x 22 x 10 cm
Weight: 0.75 kg
Origin: Waurá Ethnicity - Amazon Biome - Brazil
History: The Waurá (also known as Waujá) are one of the traditional peoples who live in villages in the Xingú National Park, one of the largest indigenous areas in the world, in the central area of Brazil, south of the Amazon biome. They speak the Maipure language, from the Arawak family, and constitute, alongside the Mehinako, Yawalapiti, Pareci and Enawene Nawe, the group of central Mairupe.
The Arawak-speaking people of the Xingú (Waurá and Mehinako) are direct descendants of several populations originating in the southwest of the Amazon basin, who established the first villages in the Xingú River region in the 800s and 900s. Archaeological research shows that between the years 1,000 and 1,600 these people were much more populous and inhabited huge circular villages, interconnected by roads and surrounded by ditches, palisades and elevated land paths.
The Waurá are well known for their ancient ceramics, considered Brazilian cultural heritage due to their high level of elaboration and finishing, which can range from large to tiny in size. The ceramics depict animals (jaguars, anteaters, tapirs, turtles, alligators) and also the legends of the region. One of the best-known legends is that of Kamalu Hai, an animal that resembles a snake with legs, which was seen in a shaman's dream in the region where the clay used to make pottery is extracted. From then on, Kamalu Hai is seen as “the owner of the clay”, who provides knowledge and helps in making the pieces and maintaining the tradition. The pieces made are mostly used during ethnic rituals and covered with elaborate paintings.
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 the 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.
