Cauca

In the department of Cauca we have been working for more than 5 years with the Grueso Dura family, more specifically in Timbiquí, Cauca where agriculture, fishing, mining and hunting predominate. On the edge of the Pacific Ocean, we also find the indigenous Eperaara Siapidaara ethnic group with whom we work on teapot and chocolate straw crafts whose famous 4-tetas baskets are the most popular. This technique involves meticulous skills and a deep knowledge of the fibers.

Liliana and her family were displaced by the guerrilla more than 10 years ago. Today they live in Bogotá and many have been searching and inhabiting new territories in search of a better future. They make a living from weaving and make a living from this ancestral craft. Unfortunately, in conflict-affected areas, such as Cauca, artisans and communities have faced challenges due to violence and displacement caused by armed groups.

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For the past 5 years we have been working directly with the Grueso family from Cauca department in Colombia. Cauca is located on the Pacific coast, whose main economic activities include fishing, hunting, agriculture and mining. However, for the past generations weaving has also become a women's craft and is now a main source of income for many communities in the area.

Liliana and her family were displaced by the armed conflict over 10 years ago, and now live in the capital city of Colombia and solely focus on the fiber teapot and its craft. We work directly with the family under fair trade parameters and provide support and look for ways to keep their production stable throughout time.