Sara Jinguimia: Wounaan Master of the Feather Motif
Meet the Maker · Majé, Darién
Sara Jinguimia
Wounaan basket weaver from Majé. Master of the feather motif, teacher in her community.
Sara Jinguimia, Majé, Darién, Panama.
Sara Jinguimia is a master Wounaan basket weaver from the rainforest village of Majé in the Darién of Panama. She began weaving at 14, guided by her older sister, who encouraged her to focus on finer stitching and to take pride in selling her work. From the beginning, Sara was drawn to detail, working with small-scale patterns in black and white before devoting herself fully to her signature design: the feather.
A signature motif, refined over years
Over the years, Sara refined the feather motif into something entirely her own. Her baskets are known for their precision, tight even stitches and elegant forms, and collectors often recognize her work by the clean geometry and intricate layouts of her feather pieces. She also weaves paw prints and other cultural designs but always returns to the feather, which she has spent years perfecting.
"She always returns to the feather."
— Jen, RFB Woven ArtTrading colors, teaching the next generation
Sara gathers and dyes some of her own palm, but also trades for unique color tones with other weavers. Beyond her own work, she teaches basketry to others in the community, sharing both technique and tradition.
She also weaves alongside her younger sister, Fredy Jinguimia, who works the pawprint, floral, and geometric motifs. The two are part of the Majé branch of the Jinguimia weaving family, distinct from the six Jinguimia sisters who work closer to Panama City.
Sara prefers the pace of the countryside, where she continues to raise her four children and create baskets with the clarity of a practiced hand.
— Jen
Frequently asked questions about Sara Jinguimia
Who is Sara Jinguimia?
Sara Jinguimia is a master Wounaan basket weaver from the village of Majé in Panama's Darién rainforest. She began weaving at age 14, guided by her older sister, and developed a signature feather motif that collectors recognize on sight. She also teaches basketry to others in her community.
What is the Wounaan feather motif?
The feather is Sara Jinguimia's signature design. Her feather baskets are characterized by clean geometry, tight even stitches, and intricate layouts. She has spent years refining the motif and returns to it consistently, even though she also weaves paw prints and other cultural designs.
How does Sara Jinguimia support other Wounaan weavers?
Sara teaches basketry to others in her community, sharing both technique and tradition. She also trades with other weavers for unique color tones rather than dyeing every fiber herself, helping circulate knowledge and materials through the village.
How is Sara Jinguimia related to Fredy Jinguimia?
Sara and Fredy Jinguimia are sisters. Sara is the older of the two, known for her feather motif in bold red and green; Fredy is younger and favors the pawprint, alongside floral and geometric designs. Both live and weave in Majé.
What other Jinguimia weavers does RFB Woven Art work with?
Jinguimia is a recurring Wounaan family name. The Majé branch of the family includes Sara, her younger sister Fredy Jinguimia, and Yoli Jinguimia (also spelled Lloli). A separate group of six Jinguimia sisters works closer to Panama City. Whether they are all branches of the same extended family is not fully documented, but the name is associated with skilled Wounaan basketry across multiple villages.
