Humberto Teucama Mepaquito

Panama

Year(s) attended: 2010

Wounaan National Congress

Carving (Seed)

Very often, indigenous communities in Panama’s Darien Rainforest are forced to develop areas of forest into low-quality agricultural land that can eventually be sold to ranchers in order to make a living.

Members of the Wounaan community, however, have discovered a way to turn the rainforest’s natural resources – and their centuries-old tradition of woodcarving – into a sustainable livelihood that preserves both cultural heritage and the natural surroundings.

Wounaan men collect and carve the fallen seeds of the area’s palm trees – known as “vegetable ivory” – into elaborate sculptures and figurines that are chiseled, sanded and painted by hand.

Resembling the hand-carved, ivory “netsukes” of Japan, these intricately carved pieces take their inspiration from the plants and animals of the rainforest.