Changuina
The Changuina
The 'Changuina’ is a type of basket that originates from early China, and has gotten popular as a farming tool all across the world. In the Amazons, it is used as a tool to carry food, fruit, and items which are collected in the rainforest. The Changuina is fabricated from the Guaco (or bejuco) plant, which is a plant found in South America and is believed to have healing powers. The Changuina can hold weights up to 70kg. The basket is weaved together by slotting the bejuco straws alongside each other and knitting them together.
We are using the changina as an item to represent the equal trade between the Achuar community and us; they receive educational equipment, such as books and materials, and in return, we receive their traditional material, handmade artefacts.
This is a picture of an Achuar woman named Kintiaua Chapui carrying a Changuina basket containing plantains and other fruit.
The process of making the Changuina by peeling bejuco vines before moistening them and weaving them into the basket.
These are the Changuinas that were made by the Achuar community and are being sent to us as part of the Barter Trade system we agreed on.