Acrobat Monkey Ticuna Spirit Doll | Hand-Carved Amazon Figure

Name: Acrobat Monkey Ticuna Spirit Doll | Hand-Carved Amazon Figure
Brand: RFB Woven Art
SKU: DOLL-044
Price: 265.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Acrobat Monkey - Ticuna Ceremonial Spirit Doll

Handcrafted by Ticuna Artisans |★★★★★

Mischief. Playfulness. Spontaneity. These are the qualities the Ticuna people of the Colombian Amazon associate with the monkey, and they are the qualities a hand-carved figure like this one is meant to carry into a home. The Ticuna distinguish carefully between clan animals — ancestors who represent extended families, dressed in skirts to signify wisdom — and mythological figures, who wear pants. This monkey belongs to the second category. It is the Amazonian counterpart to Hanuman in Hindu tradition or Sun Wukong in Chinese folklore: a beloved spirit of energy and play, told about in stories and welcomed into homes for the lightness it brings.

The body is carved from balsa wood, a lightweight tropical hardwood gathered locally, then wrapped in yanchama — a cloth made by stripping bark from a rainforest tree, soaking it for days, and beating it into a soft, paper-like fiber. The figure is finished with the four traditional Ticuna pigments: black from the genipapo fruit, red from achiote seeds, white from clay, and yellow from earth and plant sources. The geometric patterning is not decorative in the Western sense. It references the artisan's own visual lineage and inherited training.

One of a small group of monkey spirit figures hand-carried from the Colombian Amazon. Each is carved and painted by a single Ticuna artisan, making every piece entirely unique. Designed as both ceremonial art and sculptural object — equally suited to a collection of indigenous art, a styled bookshelf, or a quiet corner that benefits from movement and playfulness.

Details

Dimensions: Approximately 12″ (30 cm) tall
Materials: Balsa wood, yanchama bark cloth, natural pigments
Pigments: Genipapo fruit (black), achiote seeds (red), clay (white), earth pigments (yellow)
Origin: Handcrafted in the Colombian Amazon by Ticuna artisans
Figure Type: Monkey — mythological spirit figure (wears pants)
Edition: One of one · SKU DOLL-044

Sourced directly from Ticuna artisans in the Colombian Amazon — purchased at fair prices to support the continuation of this tradition and the families who carry it.

Learn about Ticuna ceremonial figures →

$265.00

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Approx. 12″ H (30 cm)
One-of-a-kind artisan work
Hand carved in the Colombian Amazon
Traditional ceremonial art

Handwoven in colombia by

Ticuna Tribe Craftsmen

No. of Artisans

dozens of artists across multiple communities

Origin

upper Amazon River basin

Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Each Ticuna Tribal doll is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families, preserve tradition, and sustain local economies.

Free Returns 14 Days

Artisan Made Direct from Community

Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handcrafted in the Colombian Amazon, these remarkable Ticuna dolls are created by skilled Indigenous artisans using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Each artisan doll reflects the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of Ticuna communities.

At RFB Woven Art, we purchase directly from the most skilled craftsmen, selecting pieces that show the finest workmanship and detail. These authentic handcrafted Ticuna dolls are collected as distinctive works of Amazonian Indigenous art.

Materials Sourced from Nature

Yanchama Fiber

Amazon bark cloth textile

Natural Pigments

Earth pigments from the Amazon

Balsa Wood

Lightweight wood, hand carved

FAQs

The Story of Ticuna Ceremonial Dolls

Pucuna dolls are more than decorative art; they hold deep ceremonial and social significance for the Tikuna people. These dolls play key roles in rituals, such as coming-of-age ceremonies, symbolizing life's transitions and milestones. They are also used in sacred practices to honor ancestral spirits and deities, serving as bridges between the physical and spiritual realms.

Each pucuna doll is intricately designed, adorned with symbolic motifs believed to invoke blessings and protection. Central to the Tikuna’s spiritual and cultural traditions, these dolls reflect their profound connection to their ancestors and the natural world.

Making the Muñecos de la Pelazón

The Tikuna dolls, or Muñecos de la Pelazón, are handcrafted by the Tikuna people of the Colombian Amazon, each one carrying the story of an ancient rite of passage. Central to the Pelazón ceremony, a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and feasting - these dolls honor the moment when young women are introduced into adulthood.

Carved from lightweight balsa wood, every doll is dressed in yanchama, a natural bark fiber painted with bold geometric symbols. Natural pigments in black, white, red, and yellow give each figure its character, while families and artists collaborate on the designs, deciding its size, style, and meaning. Once crafted exclusively by men, today women also take part in their creation, ensuring the tradition continues across generations.

No two dolls are alike. Each represents ancestral and anthropomorphic figures that embody the cultural spirit of the Tikuna people - works of art that preserve both memory and transformation.

Ticuna ceremonial dolls, often called pucuna dolls, are traditional figures created by the Ticuna people of the Colombian Amazon. These handcrafted dolls are connected to the Pelazón ceremony, an important coming-of-age ritual that marks the transition of a young woman into adulthood.

Today, Ticuna dolls are also collected as examples of Indigenous Amazon ceremonial art, valued for their cultural meaning and handmade craftsmanship.

The Pelazón ceremony is one of the most important rites of passage in Ticuna culture. It celebrates the moment when a young woman enters adulthood and is honored with music, dancing, storytelling, and ceremonial objects. Pucuna dolls are part of this tradition and represent spiritual figures and ancestral connections tied to the ritual.

Authentic Ticuna dolls are carved from lightweight balsa wood, a material commonly found in the Amazon rainforest. Each figure is dressed in yanchama bark cloth, a natural fiber made from tree bark, and decorated with geometric patterns painted using natural pigments in black, red, white, and yellow. These materials connect the dolls directly to the environment and traditions of the Colombian Amazon.

Authentic Ticuna dolls are carved and assembled entirely by hand by artisans of the Colombian Amazon.

Each piece shows subtle variations in carving, painting, and fiber work because they are not produced using molds or machines. Genuine dolls typically feature hand-painted patterns, natural materials like yanchama bark cloth, and individual artistic details that make every piece unique.

The tradition of Ticuna ceremonial dolls is rooted in generations of cultural practice within the Amazon rainforest. These dolls are closely connected to the Pelazón ceremony, which has long been an important part of Ticuna social and spiritual life.

Today, handmade Ticuna dolls continue to preserve these traditions while also being appreciated by collectors as rare examples of Indigenous Amazon ceremonial art.

Each piece is handwoven over many months using natural fibers and plant-based dyes, reflecting the traditions of skilled artisans. To preserve the color and structure of your handwoven basket or woven art, display it away from direct sunlight or skylights, as prolonged UV exposure can fade natural dyes and weaken fibers over time.

In very dry climates, you may occasionally mist the inside lightly with distilled or non-chlorinated water, similar to caring for wicker or rattan. Gently blot away any excess with a paper towel to help maintain the fiber’s natural balance and long-term durability.

With proper care, artisan woven baskets made from natural materials can retain their beauty and strength for many years.

Free shipping within the continental US. Contact us for shipping outside the US at jen@woven.art, and we will offer options.

Free pre-paid returns with 14 days. Love it or return it with no obligation.

Acrobat Monkey - Ticuna Ceremonial Spirit Doll