Dalia Negria: Pioneer of Cocobolo Black and Pucham Red
Meet the Maker · Sinai, Darién
Dalia Negria
Wounaan master weaver. The first to dye chunga black with cocobolo. The teacher behind 400 working weavers.
Dalia Negria, Sinai, Darién, Panama.
Dalia Negria is one of the master weavers we work with at RFB. She grew up in the remote rainforest community of Sinai, in the Darién region of Panama, where weaving was passed down through the women in her family. Her aunt, an accomplished artist in her own right, taught Dalia how to work with chunga palm (Astrocaryum standleyanum), one of the foundational fibers in Wounaan basketry. Under her guidance, Dalia became one of the first weavers to incorporate shredded chunga into intricate designs.
Cocobolo for black, pucham for red
Dalia's work is known for both technical excellence and creative innovation. Early in her career, she began experimenting with natural dyes, drawing entirely new shades from local materials. She was the first to use cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), a rosewood typically reserved for carving by Wounaan men, to produce a deep black dye. She also developed a vibrant red from pucham, a medicinal leaf traditionally used to treat wounds.
"She was the first to use cocobolo for black."
— Jen, RFB Woven ArtOne of three Negria sisters, and a teacher to many more
The Negria sisters — Dalia, Miriam, and Cristina Negria Teucama — are three master Wounaan basket weavers from Sinai, a remote village in Panama's Darién rainforest. About a decade ago much of the family moved to Chepo, near Panama City, so their children could continue past sixth grade in school. The sisters weave alongside their daughters, who carry the family signature into the next generation. Maricin Cheucarama Negria is Cristina's daughter.
Each sister has developed her own signature within the Wounaan tradition. Read more about her sister Cristina Negria Teucama.
Beyond her own work, Dalia is a teacher and a leader. She has trained fellow weavers through Emberá-Wounaan organizations and church-led workshops.
Dalia continues to invest her income in her daughters' education and in everyday improvements for her family.
— Jen
Frequently asked questions about Dalia Negria
Who is Dalia Negria?
Dalia Negria is a master Wounaan basket weaver from Sinai, a remote village in Panama's Darién rainforest. She was among the first weavers to incorporate shredded chunga palm into intricate designs, the first to produce a deep black dye from cocobolo wood, and the developer of a vibrant red dye from the medicinal leaf pucham. She has trained over 400 Wounaan weavers in chunga basketry.
What natural dyes did Dalia Negria develop?
Dalia Negria pioneered two natural dyes still used by Wounaan weavers today. She was the first to use cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), a rosewood typically reserved for carving by Wounaan men, to produce a deep black dye for basket fibers. She also developed a vibrant red dye from pucham, a leaf traditionally used in Wounaan medicine to treat wounds.
Who are the Negria sisters?
The Negria sisters are Dalia, Miriam, and Cristina Negria Teucama — three master Wounaan basket weavers from Sinai, a remote village in Panama's Darién rainforest. Each has developed her own signature within the Wounaan tradition. About a decade ago much of the family moved to Chepo, near Panama City, so their children could continue past sixth grade in school. The sisters weave alongside their daughters, including Maricin Cheucarama Negria, Cristina's daughter.
Where is Sinai and how does Wounaan weaving support the village?
Sinai is a remote Wounaan village in Panama's Darién rainforest. It is the home village of the Negria sisters, several of whom now split their time between Sinai and a Wounaan community near Panama City for access to education. Thanks in part to Dalia Negria's teaching through Emberá-Wounaan organizations and church-led workshops, over 400 Wounaan artisans now earn their livelihoods through chunga weaving.
