The art ofweaving among Shipibo Konibo women

The art of weaving among Shipibo-Konibo women is being practiced less and less, as many use shop purchased fabrics to make their designs. However, some women, such as Pekon Rabi, continue to maintain this ancient tradition. Pekon Rabi, a 70-year-old woman, learned the art of weaving by observing her older relatives in the Paohyan community.  She is one of the artists who still practice the cotton weaving known as "chitonti" using the backstrap loom.

Despite having 7 children, only one of her daughters has learned and continues with this cotton craft. The sale of her artwork is often the main source of income for Shipibo-Konibo women in the Paohyan community, where many other artisans also work exclusively in textile art.

The process of making a cotton textile is laborious and takes about 2 months to create a traditional wrap-around skirt, or "chitonti". We spent time with Pekon Rabi to observe the entire process up close. Through this experience, we were able to appreciate the slow, ancient and magical art form of "chitonti" from start to finish.

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