Empower Shipibo women through creative economy

Faced with the difficult situation of the COVID 19 pandemic, our Kene Nete collective paralyzed their activities during the 2020 and the first months of the year 2021. We were mainly affected by the restrictions imposed by the government and also because many of the members of our collective and their families suffered from Covid.

With trade restricted for long periods, it was difficult for us to acquire supplies such as textiles, yarns, buttons, etc. In addition, the paralysis of tourist activity left us without a market where we could offer our products. For this reason, we were forced to stop the production and elaboration of garments. For us, young Shipibo-Konibo artists, it is a challenge to position ourselves in the fashion industry with identity.

However, we are adopting to the new normality and little by little, new opportunities are opening up to us. We received an invitation from the Shipibo Digital TV program "Non Kaya" to do a live fashion show of our collection and use the social media broadcast to launch the pre-sale of the garments we made before the pandemic. Many Shipibo Konibo models wore our clothes and we had a great acceptance from the public who tuned in.

Because we didn't sell all our garments, we did a photo shoot and through our social networks we continued with the sales. In addition, we participated in the clothing sales fair "Inoa Xatan Fashion", offering our products along with other fashion initiatives in our region.

This new year we have all the energy to continue showing you our work and our bet, to make sustainable fashion with that identity that we inherited from our Shipibo Konibo culture!

Jatibi jakon!

We are very proud to share the final results with the public, creating new ways to continue to thrive together and start the new year with such great and inspiring projects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world and the Amazon region has been hit particularly hard. With international borders closed and a drastic economic decrease in the tourism sector, all indigenous artisans, who are the main breadwinners of their families, are now under serious economical strain.

Closing probably the most difficult year in human history was challenging. Fortunately we had the opportunity to be part of the Alianza Arkana's initiative to generate sustainable solutions by creating Kené Sikati Kirika: a digital Kené Coloring Book to sell and support a group of a group of 30 artisan mothers, generating incomes for them in these difficult times, and at the same time, support us and empower the members of our collective throughout the process.

Kené refers to the ancestral Shipibo-Konibo geometric designs, which are usually illustrated on tapestries or ceramic pieces.

This very special e-book also aims to connect the general public with the unique legacy of Shipibo-Konibo designs by providing the opportunity not only to learn about the kené itself, but also to interact directly with each drawing through printable graphics to color.

We have been working on this digital Kené Coloring Book since September 2020 and we have asumed production roles  working on the set design; convocating all the 30 artisans; working on the translation of all the interviews from Shipibo to Spanish; supporting the book's graphic design; and we have gained first-hand experience in budget management.

To create this project we had the support of Amazon Watch and their contribution has allowed for the participation of all Shipibo-Konibo collaborators and will continue to support indigenous families through the sale of this book.

We are very proud to share the end results with the public, creating new ways to continue to prosper together and start the new year with such great and inspiring projects.

VIDEO BEHIND THE SCENES:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyJv6udVjLE&feature=youtu.be

Links:

• stay tuned
• watch the video behind the scenes

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the whole world and the Amazon region has been hit particularly hard. With international borders closed and a drastic economic decrease in the tourism sector, all indigenous artisans, who are the main breadwinners of their families, are now under serious economical strain.

However, we have united as an international community to face this situation, and with the support of Amazon Watch, we have come up with a very creative solution: an Online Kené Coloring Book for sale! The Kené refers to the ancestral Shipibo-Konibo geometric designs, which are usually embroidered and/or painted in cloths, or used to decorate ceramic pieces. Since the selling of these physical items has become inaccesible, we are now working on a digital book which contains these beautiful geometric patterns and pictures of the artisans that drew them. These designs will be digitalized so that those who purchase the e-book can print and paint them from the comfort of their home. Through this e-book, we will distribute a fair percentage of the profits to each artisan involved, so that they can make an income in these trying times. 

We are very proud of the intercultural team that came together to make this e-book a reality. Our team is comprised of 6 Shipibo-Konibo youth, 3 peruvian Alianza Arkana staff members, 1 portuguese Alianza Arkana staff member and 35 Shipibo-Konibo artisan mothers. We are currently interviewing the artisan mothers in their native tongue, executing a portrait photoshoot for each of the artisans involved, and recording the "behind the scenes" process. Next steps include editing the photos and videos, translating all interviews to Spanish and English, and beginning with the editorial design of the book. Stay tuned for more news on the Kené Coloring Book project soon! You can subscribe to our mailing list here, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you for supporting Shipibo-Konibo youth!

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our activities have come to a standstill, and we are refocusing the way we are working this year and adapting ourselves to these uncertain times.

Each of us are in our homes, with our families, and abiding by the policies of the Peruvian government.

Unable to leave our homes, we are adapting to the digital sphere and are joining virtual initiatives such as The Fashion Revolution Week. Together with the global community of sustainable brands we are sensibilizing consumers to the importance of knowing who made their clothes and what are the stories behind the artisans. 

Supporting small sustainable businesses is not only being aware of the products we consume, it is valuing the work of those who make them. Slow fashion is a form of resistance to capitalist consumption dynamics and is also part of the fight against labor exploitation. Our pieces are unique, designed and produced by ourselves and each garment is made by several hands. The ancestral designs and embroidery that adorn our creations carry a knowledge passed down from generation to generation that make our indigenous fashion a unique and innovative movement. 

This past month we have also been dedicated to our financial sustainability by writing two grants. One for the FRIDA Foundation, which is dedicated to empower young feminists and another, for SACRED FIRE FOUNDATION, which promotes sustainable projects that revitalize indigenous ancestral practices. We have also been contacting future buyers to promote our accessories online. We have hope that we will thrive in these changing times!

November was a month full of surprises and events! We worked a lot while perfecting the practice and learned new things.

The firsts professionals and originals products were ready: tee-shirts and bags!

The volunteer Camerina proposed a clothing reviving consisting of DIY t-shirt cutting, which demonstrated the transformation of making old clothes into new. The youth enjoyed this free and creative moment: scissors and chalk fought a joyous battle in the workshop!

The group had tried a new print technique: engraving. The principle of this practice is to remove material (wood or linoleum) to make the image appear in negative. Using cutting tools, patience and concentration as a creating requirement, we can apply a thin layer of ink with the help of a roller. We are ready for the final step of the process: gently add pressure to make a precise print.

Then we deepened a bases of sewing, where we learned to make fabric cutting patterns for inclusive unique clothing sizes with a standard of crossing: tee-shirt, kimono and a long skirt.

Two by two worked through troubleshooting how to make, and at the end of two lessons these forms were in the graph paper ready to try in the fabric.

We held three workshops: a workshop of silk screen printing for the Shipibo mothers, and the second we taught the foundation of sewing by making reusable sanitary napkins in the community of Santa Clara. Finally the youth taught 16 Americans students the process for making a natural dye and design workshop. All of these experiences were very beautiful to witness and rewarding for the Shipibo youth. 

For closure of the current  year, the Shipibo youth were proposed with a one week challenge to prepare a little fashion show : it was time to enforce our knowledge to create a first mini collection. In true fashionista spirit the group headed to the market to purchase fabric, after a preparatory workshop on pattern cutting on skirts, a kimono, shorts, tops, and trousers. 

This first fashion show was a huge success and for the youth a first indicator to a promising future as designers.

Step by step this youth project evolves at the same time as the youth.

It's a real pleasure to see this growth in the work as well as in their personalities!

Thank you so much for your role in making dreams a reality.