OWP
Hand Woven Solid Cana Flecha Bracelet-4 Colors
Hand Woven Solid Cana Flecha Bracelet-4 Colors
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Caña Flecha is a sugar cane like plant that is only found along the coastal regions of Colombia, South America. The Zenu Tribe cultivates the thin stalk-like leaves using processes and techniques that date back to the 1500s and weaves them into various geometric patterns creating these unique bracelets.
These beautiful bracelets are crafted by some of the remaining Zenu Indians of Colombia. They braid strips of caña flecha, that has been used by their ancestors for centuries. These folks are loyal to their cultural legacy but had been stripped of their riches, lands and possessions by colonial settlers. They're using their ancestor's pre-Columbian weaving techniques to create jewelry for you with contemporary designs.
All of these fairly traded bracelets have 2 finished ends so you can expand them to put it on your wrist easily.
Measurements:
- Extra Large - width is 2” (50.8 mm)
- Large - width 1” (25.4 mm)
- Medium - width 1/2" (12.7 mm)
- Small - width 1/4” (6.35 mm)
Product Features:
- Bracelets open in the back to fit all wrist sizes
- Great gifts with a cause for guys and girls
- Naturally-dyed and woven from tall grass leaves
- Sustainable, eco-friendly jewelry
Handmade in Colombia and Fair Trade imported.
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
Chichicastenango, Guatemala, has become one of the most important heritage centers in Guatemala during the past 10 years, due to its predominant indigenous Maya Quiche population and their traditional textile products. Yet, despite increased tourism and a renewed interest in traditional Mayan crafts, work opportunities remain few for the indigenous population, many of whom are uneducated and otherwise unemployable.
Enter De Colores Art, a local business that levels the playing field for villagers by offering free training to anyone who demonstrates the initiative to learn a trade. The company employs 30 women and 18 men to knit and embroider textile products, with the option of working at home using materials provided by the company. De Colores recognizes the culture of its Mayan employees, and as such allows flexible hours and gives time off for sowing and harvest days.
De Colores also invests in community education projects by funding two local schools in the neighboring towns of Chujupen y Pachoj, and by providing scholarships to qualifying students.
In addition to stimulating the local economy by creating new jobs, De Colores makes a conscious effort to use recycled materials whenever possible. The reason for this is twofold: to preserve Mayan culture, as recycled textiles showcase traditional knitting patterns that aren’t often seen in newer textiles, and to reduce scraps and waste.
Communities collaborate in the production process, as men work on the biggest textiles and women do the embroidery, crochet and macramé seen in smaller pieces. In some cases, in order to be competitive, sewing machines are used to assemble the finished product, although all the components are handmade and hand embroidered from cotton, wool and/or silk.
