Tribe Life: Make-up & Wardrobe
(Jemma Woodman from Cool Earth is visiting their project partners in the Rio Ene Valley of the Peruvian Amazon. Pattie Bustamante is part of the Ashaninka tribe and shows her how to dress like the locals)
The designs on Patti's face are more than just pretty patterns. Like other Ashaninka men and women in the Peruvian Amazon, she uses the bright red pigment from the Achiote plant, to interpret her dreams, the constellation of the stars and to mimick animal markings. Patti lives near to the village of Cuti and at just 18 she is a key cog in protecting trees and making sure Cool Earth's funds are spent wisely. She's also strong minded about maintaining life as she knows it in the rainforest. So it doesn't suprise me that Patti thinks I'd be better off wearing a cushma. Just as well I bought a needle and thread. Watch the 3 one minute videos on how to dress for the forest Ashaninka style.
Pattie who has a husband and a three year old daughter measures me for my cushma. I've bought some plain calico with me but the men's version is hand woven from the cotton grown in the forest. Once they were worn daily but now it appears more for meetings and special occasions, where they're seen as a status symbol. The women prefer to use brightly coloured cloth which they occasionaly get from markets and will embellish with tree seeds but some still look to the forest to colour their cloth.
The finishing touches to my cushma will be a selection of seeds from the forest that will make a lovely soft chink when I walk. The seeds are decorative but they also have a purpose, acting like a rattle for the women's babies. Pattie describes to me why the noise of the seeds is so important - it's soothing but also reassuring when you're on a solitary walk through the rainforest. I can't wait to get my cushma. See the final item in the video below.
Protect tribal traditions by supporting the women of the Ashaninka here
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