ARTCRAFTS CATALOG
From the Peruvian Amazon to You: Matsigenka Artcraft with a Purpose
The Matsigenka people
Indigenous group living in the Peruvian Amazon
The Matsigenka people
The Matsigenka people are an indigenous group living in the Peruvian Amazon. They inhabit biodiverse rainforests that provide them with essential resources like food, medicine, and materials for their homes. The Matsigenka have a deep spiritual connection to their land, which they view as sacred. They live sustainably, maintaining a harmonious balance with nature. Preserving their territory is crucial for sustaining their cultural heritage and traditional way of life, closely tied to the health of the Amazon rainforest.
Territory
The Matsigenka people live in the biodiverse regions of the Peruvian Amazon, primarily in Cusco and Madre de Dios. This lush rainforest provides essential resources like food, medicine, and materials for their homes, while also holding deep cultural and spiritual significance. The Matsigenka view their land as sacred and live sustainably, maintaining a harmonious balance with nature. Preserving their territory is crucial for sustaining their cultural heritage and traditional way of life, which is closely tied to the health of the Amazon rainforest.
Cosmovision
In the Matsigenka belief system, the universe consists of five levels. The first level, Kipatsi, or the "world of humans," is where their daily lives unfold. Above this are the upper worlds, Menkoripatsa and Inkite. The lower worlds, Kamavira and Gamaaironi, are believed to lie in a vast cosmic river, connected by the Urubamba River.