Ruth Mary Vega, one of the leaders from the Zenú artisan community in Colombia, has visited the UNESCO Chair on Sustainability of the UPC, within the framework of the 1st Forum on Cultural Heritage, Biodiversity and Resilience.
Ruth Mary Vega represents CORPOMEXION, entity where more than 600 families of artisans from the Zenú ethnic group, at the department of Córdoba -Colombia, and with 10 years of experience in the consolidation of Resilience and Development strategies through the crafts.
During the visit, the leader made a presentation on the OVOP strategy for the protection of the Zenú cultural heritage, from the development of the handicraft with "caña flecha". He has also presented the Joint Working Plan to promote Zenú crafts in Europe, through the UNESCO Sustainability Chair, using the new e-commerce webpage.
The line of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Chair, committed to the rescue of the ancestral traditions of the Caribbean coast and the socio-environmental welfare of the Zenú people, will contribute to the creation of the value chain of handicraft products that will guarantee the use of biodegradable materials and traditional coloring techniques
In an inter-institutional alliance with the international cooperation office of the Government from the Department of Córdoba, the OVOP program in Colombia (sponsored by JYCA, Japan International Cooperation Agency), SENA, the joint UNESCOSOST-Montería office with the Univ. of Córdoba , the Master in Social Sciences of UniCordoba and Corpomexión, seeks to consolidate the first departmental table to create strategies that allow artisans to boost sales and marketing of their products to international markets.
BRAINING PEACE. Zenú weaving. "Fashion, Identity and Tradition".
The secret of the handicrafts in "caña flecha" is in the weaving of the braid, office carried out in greater proportion by women, belonging to the Zenú indigenous community, an ancestral art inherited generation after generation. The patterns or types of braid were developed from the creativity and skills of these weavers. During the process, the harvesting, drying and crushing are some of the fundamental tasks for a good result.
Indigenous zenúes for centuries have given life to the traditional vueltiao hat, originated by the ritual custom of indigenous women who gave to their partner the hat as a symbol of union. The hat emerged from the need to protect from the sun during long working hours. Over time, this practice was recognized as an artisan craft that has been transferred generation after generation.
A 100% natural product that in recent years has taken new forms through different designs inspired by the Zenú amphibian culture.
The artisans braid drawings or "pints", expressing symbols typical of the Zenú culture, closely linked with nature. Its quality depends on the braided fiber pairs and vary between 7 and 27 pairs.
Tuchín is the municipality belonging to the Zenú shelter in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, which bases its economy on the handicraft trade of the weaving in arrow cane. Today the "Tuchineros" explore new ways and possibilities in the production of their crafts, turning them into exclusive pieces and accessories for personal use and home.
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Download Zenú Handicraft Catalogue