A note from Jen — The Wounaan are one people in two rainforests, and I buy from both. In Panama's Darién, the coil is impossibly tight, stitched from chunga palm in patterns passed between mothers and daughters for generations. In Colombia's Chocó, the same tradition goes bolder: thicker werregue coils, bigger forms, striking geometry. Every basket here is one of one, purchased directly from the weaver who made it.
Ĥu hajim — thank you, from the Wounaan · ❤️ Jen at RFB Woven Art
The Wounaan live in both Colombia's Chocó and Panama's Darién — same people, same Indigenous heritage, two distinct regional traditions. Each region's weaving reflects its own rainforest, history, and materials. Browse every Wounaan basket in the RFB collection across both regions below.
Panama Wounaan (hösig di) is known for ultra-fine coil work — stitching so tight the baskets hold water. Colombian Werregue uses a thicker coil and longer stitch, producing bolder geometric forms. Both are purchased directly from the weavers who make them.
Commonly Asked
A tightly coiled basket woven by Wounaan Indigenous artisans. The Wounaan live in two regions: Panama's Darién rainforest and Colombia's Chocó Pacific coast. Both traditions are represented in this collection. Panama pieces are known as hösig di, Colombian pieces as werregue baskets.
Panama hösig di baskets use chunga palm (Astrocaryum standleyanum) coiled over a core of nahuala (Carludovica palmata), with ultra-fine stitching so tight the baskets hold water. Colombian werregue baskets use werregue palm fiber from the Chocó, with a thicker coil and bolder geometric forms. Some Colombian pieces also incorporate copper wire. The color palettes and design traditions differ between the two regions.
Panama baskets: a finely stitched piece takes several months, and the most detailed large baskets take close to a year. Master weavers pack 60 to 90 strands of chunga into every inch of coil. Colombian werregue: smaller pieces take weeks, mid-size baskets take one to several months, and the largest works can take the better part of a year.
Entirely from plants. Panama weavers use private dye recipes passed through families. Colombian weavers color werregue fiber with achiote, jagua, turmeric, and bark. No synthetic dyes are used in either tradition.
Yes. I buy directly from the weavers and their families in both Panama and Colombia. In Panama, a long-running deposit system covers housing, school supplies, medical costs, and daily needs for the weaving families I work with. This has been in place for more than 14 years.
No. Every piece is one of one. Once a basket sells, it is gone. I never restock because no two baskets are identical.
Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from moisture to protect the natural plant dyes. Copper-wrapped Colombian pieces will develop a warm patina naturally over time. These baskets are meant to be displayed and enjoyed for years.
Orders ship within 1 to 3 business days with free shipping in the continental US. Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery in original condition.