This necklace is a handmade, totally organic piece made by the AWAJUN WOMEN ARTISANS ASSOCIATION OF URAKUSA, AMAZONAS, Perś. This association is supported by ORG by vio®. "ORG" stands for Organic Rainforest Goods and spells GRO backwards; "by vio" is an acronym for Violeta and Indigenous Organizations. Violeta Villacorta is the designer of ORG by vio®. ORG by vio® works in partnership with indigenous Amazon artisans to promote their culture and artistry, and to develop collections made with plant materials as a source for a sustainable economy for the stewards of the forests.
THE AWAJŚN or Aguaruna in Spanish, are an indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon, who speak Awajśn or Aguaruna. Historically, they lived primarily on the banks of the Marańón River, a tributary of the Amazon in northern Peru near the border with Ecuador. Currently, they possess titled community lands in four of Perus regions: Amazonas, Cajamarca, Loreto, and San Martin. According to Perus 1993 Census the Awajśn numbered approximately 45,000. World Census data for 2000 lists their population at just over 38,000.
The Awajśn artisans are a highly talented and skilled group of women who are devoted to their artistry, eager to share their work with the world. They take long boat journeys on the Marańón River to the nearest town to send their goods to us. The Collection section on this website includes exquisite traditional Awajśn accessories and collections made with seeds and other plant fiber materials, developed in partnership with Awajśn artisans.
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