Ecuador Baskets

Baskets woven and dyed by the hands of Waorani women. They are the ones who care for, harvest, and shape the leaves of the chambira, a native palm of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Omere (the group who creates these) thanks their grandmothers, who passed down this ancestral knowledge. Now, the 60 weavers from various Waorani communities, share this art with the world.  By purchasing this product, we support the preservation and transmission of ancestral knowledge of Waorani women, the strengthening of each artisan's economic autonomy in a fair and sustainable way, and the appreciation of the knowledge of Amazonian peoples.  These women live in villages deep in the jungle, almost entirely accessible only by MAF planes. They are descendants of some of the first believers reached through the ministry of Elisabeth Elliot after her husband, Jim, was martyred along with MAF pilot Nate Saint and others. Their craft is not only a reflection of their ancestral heritage, but also a testimony to the transformation and hope brought to their people by the gospel.