Travel Day
Tales & Traditions · Panama
Travel Day
Arriving in Panama. The road to the weaving communities of Chepo and Majé.
Traveling to Panama
I arrived in Panama and the pace already feels different. The city is busy. Loud. The real shift happens once we leave it behind.
To reach the weaving communities of first Chepo, then Majé, we travel by a long winding road. We will visit the renowned Negria sisters tomorrow in Chepo, on the way to the Darién. They are known for their rib-stitched butterflies and detailed birds in wavy palms, some of the most colorful and beautiful motifs created anywhere. Then we continue on to Majé, where many weavers and families live in thatched-roof huts.
Traveling into these villages reminds me that the pieces I select are not made in factories. They are created in homes, in spaces that require intention to reach.
"Tomorrow I will sit at the weaving tables. Tonight I'm reflecting on the journey that brought me here."
— Jen, RFB Woven Art❤️ Jen at RFB Woven Art
Frequently asked questions about this sourcing trip
Where is Chepo, Panama?
Chepo is a town in Panama on the road from Panama City toward the Darién rainforest. It is home to Wounaan weaving communities, including the Negria sisters, who are known for rib-stitched butterfly and detailed bird motifs.
Who are the Negria sisters?
The Negria sisters are Wounaan weavers in Chepo, Panama. They are renowned for rib-stitched butterfly motifs and detailed birds woven into wavy palm patterns. RFB Woven Art sources baskets directly from their workshop.
What's involved in a Wounaan basket sourcing trip?
A sourcing trip involves traveling from Panama City along long winding roads into the Darién, visiting weaving communities like Chepo and Majé, meeting weavers in their homes, and selecting pieces directly from the makers. Curator Jennifer Kuyper travels personally on each trip to verify provenance and pay fair prices.
