Empowering Indigenous Amazonian Women - The Jane Project
JANE ARTISANS
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Peru, anthropologist Natalia Gonzales Becera and her dedicated team have embarked on a project to empower indigenous Amazonian women. Dubbed the Jane Project, Natalia and her team focus on educating these women to promote, equitably value, and sell their unique art and artisanal crafts, ensuring the preservation of this invaluable cultural heritage for generations to come.
A simple yet profound realization illuminated Natalia's path – most Peruvians know very little about the indigenous communities in the Amazon. The popular imagination of ancient Peru conjures the ubiquitous imagery of the Inca Empire and Machu Picchu, yet Natalia explains that there are 51 different indigenous nations of Peru. "The cultural diversity of Peru is actually in the Amazon. Even though the world knows us as an Inca nation, we are a jungle nation.
Motivated by a deep love of learning and a fascination with contrasting worldviews, Natalia and her team have worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between the Amazonian communities and the global audience, sharing their lesser-known traditions and legacies. For the past seven years, Natalia’s team have traveled extensively, collaborating with women from various nations and empowering them to showcase and market their unique crafts to the world. Through promoting education and providing women a platform to sell their products at the brick-and-mortar Jane Artisans store in Tarapoto, Peru, Natalia, and her team set women up with the tools they need to gain financial independence while balancing their traditional way of living.
Preserving Peruvian Heritage
The Jane project serves as a means to foster cultural exchange and understanding. It's more than just economic empowerment; it's a way to preserve traditions and heritage deeply rooted in the natural world. Generations of refined knowledge would otherwise be lost if not for the women passing down the traditions. "Women know what kind of clay you need to make pottery, they know the spirit of the clay, in which moon phase to take it. It's not only about doing the craft; it's also about deep knowledge of the forest," Natalia explains.
The craftwork of these indigenous communities spans a wide range of techniques, from pottery to weaving natural fibers. Each piece carries a profound connection to the craftsperson’s environment and a unique story. Regardless of the work, Natalia explained, "The knowledge about the craft is related to the female universe.” Thus, the mission of providing knowledge and power to these women will result in their continued success.
Education and Empowerment
One significant challenge Natalia's team faces is ensuring fair compensation for the women's work. Indigenous women often do not charge for their time, considering it an inherent part of being a woman. Natalia's team aims to create an equitable relationship between the artisans’ valuation of their work and calculating a fair price based on hours spent. "We calculate it based on how they pay regular workers per hour and add a bit more because what these women know is invaluable," Natalia emphasizes.
The impact of Natalia's project is far-reaching. Women in these communities who are involved in the Jane Project now have access to their bank accounts, phones, and the ability to manage their finances, a significant achievement in an environment where traditional gender roles tend to limit such access. This newfound financial independence empowers them to invest in community improvement projects and make independent decisions about the use of funds.
By empowering one generation of women, Natalia hopes her teachings will be passed on to the younger generations alongside the traditions already carried forward. Natalia explained the strength of this generational inheritance, "It's like a chain: the grandmother, the mother, the little girl, all of them proud of their tradition, keeping it alive.” A shared knowledge of a craft deeply fortifies the bond between generations. Now, young girls, proud of their heritage, can not only create but sell their crafts, ensuring that the tradition lives on.
Conclusion
When someone purchases from the Jane store, they are doing much more than purchasing unique crafts; they are contributing to the preservation of a rich cultural heritage and ensuring a sustainable future for these indigenous communities. Beyond that, the Jane Project teaches us to embrace diversity and seek to understand alternative perspectives that will enrich our lives and help us appreciate the beauty of our interconnected world.
One quote from my conversation with Natalia summarized her vision better than I ever could – "Please don't be afraid of difference. Don't be afraid; just allow yourself the opportunity of learning from other realities." In the end, Natalia’s passion for learning has allowed her and her team to weave a tapestry of cultural appreciation, empowerment, and sustainability in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.
J A N E
Bridging distant worlds
Natalia Gonzales Becera -
“We started this venture in 2016 with the goal of empowering native Amazonian communities through their artisanship. The creation of access lines to new markets for their products is a key component throughout this work. Moreover, educating the communities in regards to the production process, product quality and its commercialization requires deep engagement, follow-up and close guidance to make it happen.
This is a challenging work that we are passionate about. The Amazonian communities that benefit from it are: Achuar, Ashaninka, Awajún, Bora, Harakmbut, Uitoto-murui, Huni Kuin, Kukama, Matsés, Matsigenka, Shawi, Shipibo, Shiwilu, Tikuna, Urarina, Yanesha and Yiné.
Working in the field with these women, sharing daily chores and supporting them through their decisions and communication with non-natives in the course of many years, we gained valuable experience and insights into their cultures: reimagining cross-cultural exchange.”
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