Anthropomorphic Jar Shipibo Peru

This mahuetá is used for preserving cassava beer (masato). Anthropomorphic in shape, it is characteristic of the Shipibo-Conibo of Upper Ucayali in the Peruvian Amazon. The red, black and white represent the cosmos while the central line refers to the cosmic boa Ronin. The different levels of the decor represent the underwater, celestial and extra-celestial worlds. These urns may be a modern stylized form inspired by ancient female form cremation urns, but are not used for burying the dead in any way today. The Shipibo-Conibo today form a single group, have the same language and more or less the same cultural characteristics. Large belly leading to a beautiful face The whole is covered with a polychrome engobe referring to the native tattoos of the Shipibo. Faces are rarely so graceful. Ocher, white, and black engobe terracotta Shipibo-Conibo women make beadwork and textiles, but are probably best known for their pottery, decorated with red and black geometric maze-like patterns. Some believe it represents a stylized language; a cartography of the rivers of Amazonia; a representation of the spiritual word; or the shape of the Anaconda. Others claim that these drawings depict the life of their families and communities in the rainforest. Although it is difficult to assign meaning to the designs, their value and uniqueness are indisputable. Some novice designers start learning this art as early as age five. The geometric patterns are called quene or kené, literally “symbols of ethnic identity”. Indeed, they have always been a symbol of Shipibo-Konibo identity, differentiating them from other indigenous groups. The elaborate geometric figures symbolize the cosmos and mythology of the ethnic group. Ronin is 'The Great Boa' who gave birth to the universe, and has a particular kené, which represents the patterns on his skin. Ronin skin is said to contain every design pattern found in the natural world, such as the fur of the jaguar, the wings of a butterfly, or the surface of a leaf. It is said that every human, animal and plant has a unique design. The hallucinogenic vine, ayahuasca, is a key part of Shipibo-Konibo culture, and often used to help recognize these patterns in the world around them. Often perceived as mysterious and frightening, the Amazon rainforest is full of secrets that it is high time to reveal. Endowed with surprising natural riches, the Amerindians passed on the recipes for making hallucinogens and poisons produced by plants and animals. Necessary for their subsistence, the use of these psychotropic drugs allows them to reach the invisible world populated by nature spirits.