Omara Ancestral is a brand that has contributed to strengthening, giving visibility, and empowering women from the communities of the Colombian Pacific through the co-creation of handcrafted handbags and fashion accessories. Omara Ancestral is fully committed to its social purpose as a socially driven business, practicing fair trade and aiming to help reduce the levels of poverty and violence affecting ethnic and rural communities that rely on artisanal production. The brand is also committed to environmental care through the use of natural fibers and sustainable materials. In addition, it contributes to the development of fashion by integrating ethnic and ancestral products into contemporary aesthetics.
Territory and Sustainability
Under the green canopy of the rainforests of the Colombian Pacific live the Eperara Siapidara, an Indigenous people whose roots trace back to the Embera nation, which in Colombia is also divided into the Katío, Dodiba, and Chamí groups. The Eperara are mainly distributed across the rainforests of the Cauca and Nariño departments, and to a lesser extent in Valle del Cauca and Chocó. Some new settlements have emerged as a result of forced displacement caused by drug trafficking and armed groups operating outside the law.
To sustain themselves, the Eperara people hunt, fish, and create handicrafts, mainly including bead weaving and the weaving of chocolatillo and “tetera” palm fibers, which are the source of our most valuable pieces. Since the time of their ancestors, the Eperara used baskets to transport their food crops as well as products from hunting and fishing. Today, they have also found an opportunity to generate income through the sale of these woven crafts, although they still face certain challenges in producing and marketing them at the scale required by the market.
For this reason, Omara Ancestral supports these communities by creating income opportunities and strengthening the market for their woven crafts, thereby helping to preserve tradition among new generations and weaving a bridge between the ancestral and the modern through fashion.
Weavings and Palm Fibers
Each of our pieces is woven using fibers from different palms found in the Colombian Pacific region, such as chocolatillo and “tetera” palms. Both grow in the rainforest areas of Guanguí, Cauca. Indigenous communities walk more than seven hours to harvest the palm, which must be cut during a specific phase of the moon. After this process, the palm is crushed and left to dry under the sun and moon for several days before being naturally dyed. Annatto and other seeds are used as the base to obtain different colors; however, the most emblematic is the mud green color, which the palm acquires after being submerged for several days. We also work with iraca palm fibers, which grow and are crafted in Sandoná, Nariño, and in Usiacurí, Atlántico. Other weaving traditions that are part of our universe include Kankuamo textiles, made from sheep wool originating in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, as well as fique from Boyacá.
Symbolism of the Weavings
Mariposa Invertida
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Cana
Ojito de
Camarón
Each of our weavings tells a story and carries a unique and special symbolism within Indigenous cosmogony. The “caná” weave symbolizes maturity, knowledge, and experience; its name represents the gray hair of old age. The butterfly weave symbolizes freedom and self-expression. The “Petacona” or snake weave symbolizes cunning and mysticism. The water weave represents fluidity and abundance.
Mariposa
El Agua
Pre-Columbian Goldsmithing
Each figure of Pre-Columbian goldsmithing carries a symbolic meaning, representing ancestral traditions and customs. These pieces are an example of Indigenous art that can be found in ethnic and artisanal jewelry collections, enhancing the beauty of each textile created by the hands of Eperara Siapidara women.
The perfect complement to our Chiripúa handbags.
Tairona Mask
Muisca Frog
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It symbolizes the protective spirit, status, shamanic connection, and ritual power. These masks were used as spiritual protection amulets and represented guardian spirits or
ancestors. Their semi-closed eyes represent a trance state, connection with other worlds, and spiritual communication.
It symbolizes fertility, rain, and rebirth. They were used as offerings to the gods and as protective objects
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spiritual protection and talismans to attract good harvests.
Muisca Tunjo with Solar Arc
Quimbaya Anthropomorphic Shaman
It symbolizes divine energy, status, and spirituality. It was used as a ritual amulet.
It symbolizes the protective spirit, shamanic connection, and status. Its figure was used as an amulet and as a ritual offering for sacred lagoons, especially in Guatavita. The arc above the head
symbolizes spiritual power, connection with the solar gods, and cosmic protection.
