The hands behind every piece. Meet their stories, their communities and their work.
Embera Katio Tuis Tuis
Among the various artistic expressions and forms of knowledge that exist in our community, my specialty is mostasilla. I create necklaces, beaded mostasilla, and earrings—pieces that reflect our cultural richness. For me, this art form holds great value because through it we preserve our traditions and strengthen our identity as the Emberá people. Each piece of beaded work represents our history, our roots, and the legacy we have inherited from our ancestors. Through my work, I want to share the beauty of our culture with the world and show that our crafts are much more than mere objects: they are a living expression of our identity, our memory, and our pride in being Emberá.
Since I was 12 years old, I have practiced this ancestral craft, knowledge I learned from my mother and that has been passed down through generations in our community. Thanks to her, I understood the value of our traditions and the importance of keeping this ancestral legacy alive. I dedicate myself to mostacillas weaving, creating necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and anklets. Each of these pieces represents our history, our identity, and the rich cultural heritage of the Emberá people. For me, this ancestral practice means preserving our memory, strengthening our identity as an Indigenous people, and keeping the teachings of our ancestors alive. The message I want to share with society and the world is that there is a people who protect their territory, preserve their culture, and proudly continue to practice their ancestral knowledge. I invite you to learn about our culture and experience something unique, where each piece reflects the history, wisdom, and spirit of our people.
I have been an artisan for nine years. This knowledge of weaving was taught to me by my mother, who in turn inherited it from our ancestors. As a daughter of this community, I learned not only the technique but also the profound meaning of the ancestral knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. The technique I practice involves weaving with seed mostacilla, which I use to create necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and many other designs. Each piece I create represents a part of our history, our memory, and our identity as an Indigenous people. For me, this art means keeping our cultural identity alive and honoring the richness we possess as the Emberá people. Each piece reflects our roots, our connection to the land, and the legacy of those who came before us. My wish is to share this message with the world: that there is a living culture, the voice of a land and an ancestral people who continue to raise their voices to be recognized. I want people to know, value, and respect the richness of our culture, because each of our crafts tells a story of resilience, tradition, identity, and hope.
