Along the banks of the Ucayali River, both upstream and downstream, live the indigenous Shipibo-Conibo people. The river has long been their Mother-Provider, while the jungle is their Home, inhabited by countless plants, animals, and insects. The jungle and river can heal and cure, provide sustenance, grant and take away life, and offer knowledge.
According to some myths, the Shipibo people are considered the keepers of an ancient shamanic tradition—the Ayahuasca ceremony, capable of healing the body, spirit, and soul. In the indigenous language, the word «Ayahuasca» translates to Vine of the Soul, Vine of the Dead (Ancestors), or Rope for the Spirit. The indigenous people believe that during Ayahuasca ceremonies, the human soul, holding onto this Vine, which keeps it in the body, gains the ability to travel between worlds. It ascends to celestial realms, journeys through the world of people, animals, and plants, descends into the realm of lower spirits, sees its future and distant past, heals its body and soul, and frees itself from pain, suffering, and illness.
The traditions, customs, myths, and art of the Shipibo are very distinctive. They are reflected in their crafts (artesanía). The traditional patterns of the Shipibo are particularly unique.
The central motif in Shipibo art is RONIN IO—the Cosmic Serpent, who combines all unimaginable designs within its skin. It is said that at the beginning of the world’s creation, RONINIO showed its skin to the first Shipibo woman, thereby granting her the Knowledge of the Essence of things. The main line of each pattern always represents RONINIO, who created this Universe, setting the primary rhythm of the design. The longer it is, the more it fascinates. It represents the diverse transformations of a single theme, with endless returns to the depth of things, akin to the infinite serpent—the Cosmic Serpent RONINIO.
The Shipibo people tell that the sacred Ayahuasca vine, which they drink during shamanic ceremonies, reveals the patterns from which the world is woven around and within a person. These patterns are also called Ayahuasca patterns by the indigenous people. In coloring their textiles, the Shipibo use natural dyes from tree bark, leaves, and clay.
Below, we present some photographs of Shipibo artesanía taken during our «Amazonian Selva» expedition in November 2004. The photos and their preparation for the website were done by Odysseia Club member and designer Viktor Pavlovsky.
