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Siwok - Argentina - Meet the Artisans

Siwok is a socio & ecologically sustainable business that produces crafts with the Wichi Indian communities and urban poor of N.W. Argentina. It was founded by Anglican missionaries in Misión Chaqueña to help the poor and preserve the Indian culture in northern Argentina. This fair trade group provides jobs to 100 Wichi families and more than 40 urban families.

The Wichi community has followed the traditional life style of hunters and gatherers. But over the years, this way of life is being threatened. The forest is being chopped down and many Wichi people are been thrown off their land or left with little space to pursue traditional methods of food collection. They have turned to craft production as a means of survival and a way to keep their culture alive.

They have showed an amazing creativity in recreating the natural forms that surround them by using just scraps of wood and cow bone so there is not a need to cut down trees. All items are hand crafted in scented local wood, beautifully finished and polished. Nowadays, the Wichi people have been able to create hundreds of hand-made and one-of-a-kind crafts that are collectible and much appreciated for those who love art, and preserve the rain forest at the same time.

Support Siwok artisans by buying their products in our fair trade store.