Handmade clay/ceramic sculpture of an Amazonian Karaja Female hugging a Karaja Male Hunter with an Alligator head and tail statue. The figures are embracing each other. This is part of the
mythological beliefs of the tribe and the bond they have with the
animals from the Amazon, it is also believed to bring good omen and
strength.
Background information:
Karajá, also known as
iny mahãdu, are an indigenous community whom inhabit the banks of the
Araguaia river across the Amazonian region, crossing the states of
Goias, Mato Grosso, Tocantins and Para in Brazil.
The craftsmanship of the Karajá tribe is often the most important source of income to the tribe and Karajá family.
The
making of the ceramic figures - called in the native language as
ritxòkò (female) and ritxòò (male) - involves traditional techniques
handed down from generation to generation. The ceramic work is
exclusively produced by the women, the process is developed using three
basic raw materials: clay or mud, ash, which acts as anti-plastic; and
water, which moistens the mixture of clay with ash.
The ritxòkò have
deep social meaning and great importance for the Karajá community, they
are important instruments of socialization reproducing the
social-cultural and family planning aspects of the tribe by
demonstrating mythological motifs, rituals, everyday life and fauna as
part of the teachings which are then passed on to the next generation.
Approximate measurements: Double figurine, aproximately 16 cm tall, base is 12 x 07 cm
Composition: Clay / painted by hand using tree extracts
Ethnic tribe: Karajá / Banks of the Araguaia river across the Amazonian region
Each
piece is crafted individually using indigenous techniques by the native
Indians from Brazil, no two items will be exactly alike, small cracks
are natural and common in these figurines due to the natural drying
process of the clay.
Karajá, from the beginning.
Karajá, also known as iny mahãdu, are a indigenous community whom inhabit the banks of the Araguaia river across the Amazonian region, crossing the states of Goias, Mato Grosso, Tocantins and Para in Brazil.
The myth surrounding their origin tells a story of a fascinating tribe that lived in a village on the bottom of the Araguaia river, where they lived and formed the community of Berahatxi Mahadu, also known as “the underwater people”. A thriving community, well fed and content, they inhabited a cold and confined space at the bottom of the river. One day, a young Karajá man who was curious in knowing the surface world, found a hidden passageway that connected both worlds and decided to explore. Fascinated by the beaches and wealth from the Araguaia river and the existence of such vast land to wonder and live, the young Karajá man summoned other members of the tribe to the surface world and they too became fascinated by their discovery.
Some time later, the Karajá people that came to the surface discovered death and diseases. Afraid of what they discovered, they tried to return to the bottom of the river, but the passageway was closed and guarded by a giant snake at the order of Koboi, the chief of the underwater people. Unable to return, they decided to spread alongside the Araguaia river in the hope that one day they could return to the bottom of the river.
Through the mythological hero Kynyxiwe who lived among them, they came to know about fish and many good things that the Araguaia river could provide them. After many adventures, the hero Kynyxiwe married a young Karajá girl and settled in the village of heaven, whose people, the Biu Mahadu, taught the Karajá how to make swiddens and survive of the land.
The Karajá are also known for their artistic craft skills, specially their handmade ceramic statues. The Karajá dolls, forms part of an important aspect of the tribes socialization, reproducing the social-cultural, spiritual, mythological and family planning aspects of the tribe. The ornaments were originally a part of the tribes teachings which were passed on from generation to generation, today, it is the main source of income for the tribe and their families.