JOBO The Guardian of the Canopy
Impressive in both scale and presence, this mask evokes the harpy eagle, the sovereign of the tropical rainforest. Its long beak, spectacular collar of natural fibers, and richly detailed patterns give it a majestic, almost ceremonial presence
The harmonious shades of brown, ochre, black, and ivory are deeply rooted in the colors of the forest. Every motif is meticulously hand-embroidered from finely frayed palm fibers, revealing exceptional craftsmanship in which raw plant material is transformed into a remarkable work of art.
In the Emberá shamanic tradition, the harpy eagle, ruler of the canopy, symbolizes strength, vision, and the connection between the human world and the realm of spirits. This mask embodies that silent energy, both protective and mysterious.
A work of remarkable intensity, where the power of form meets the delicacy of masterful craftsmanship.
- Each artisan receives directly and immediately remuneration for her work, at a fair price.
- The masks all receive a phytosanitary treatment to eliminate all insect larvae.
- The dyes used are always natural and made from plants.
Extraordinary as works of art and decoration, these masks come from the Shamanic beliefs and rituals of the Central American Indians from the Wounaans and Emberas tribes.
The Indians divide the world in two, a visible world and a parallel world which is invisible.
These invisible spirits “haï“ are found in nature, in animals or in plants. “ The great superiority of this parallel world, this universe of shadows, is that they can see man while man cannot see them “ wrote Jean-Marie Le Clézio.
Through the Shamans, they come into contact with the “ haï“ spirits of Nature.
The mask or “ nemboro “ allows the Shaman, during the ritual, to take on the appearance of a spirit from the invisible world and enter into communication with this world.
After use, the mask which has “danced“ will be destroyed because it remains “charged“ and only the Shaman is allowed to touch it. And so there are no previous examples of these masks in existence.
Our masks are traditionally made for rituals.
They are made from palm leaves harvested from the forest, from a variety of palm called the Chunga. The softer parts are removed first. They are dried, bleached and wound into skeins.
The dried palm leaves are then dyed with natural dyes made from fruit pulp, wood chips, seeds, leaves or roots. They may need to be dipped several times in the dye.
After this long preparatory work, each craftswoman begins her fabulous creative work, which, alongside her great artistic sense, also requires the deep, incomparable know-how held only by the women of these tribes.
Never get wet, do not expose to rain.
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