Crucelina Chocho learned basketweaving by watching her mother and grandmother at work for hours and asking them everything related with the baskets’ designs. When she was eight years old she worked with chocolatillo, the fibre that inspired the Wounaan people to start using the werregue palm to weave. In her community, women are in charge of passing on all the knowledge to the future generations. Today, Crucelina teaches this craftsmanship to her community so that it is preserved over time. She has taught children as well as her own two daughters, because she wants them to continue her legacy.
The artisans weave figures that represent animals and plants to tell the story of their people and other cultural elements. The designs on the baskets include geometric and geomorphic patterns, which represent mythical and religious symbology of the Wounaan people. Crucelina has represented the 160 artisans with whom she works at different national and international fairs and exhibitions such as the International Folk Art Market in the USA, Muestra de Artesanía UC in Chile. There, she received an award for being one of the best international artisans. These participations allowed her to expand her customer network to new clients, including galleries in the USA and Donna Karan.
Kuperre
