Free Spirit Monkey - Ticuna Ceremonial Spirit Doll
DOLL-042
Handcrafted by Ticuna Artisans |★★★★★
Free Spirit: A Mythological Spirit of the Amazon Rainforest
This Ticuna monkey figure embodies one of the most beloved mythological characters of the Amazon — the trickster. Indigenous to the tri-border region where Colombia, Peru, and Brazil meet, the Ticuna people draw a careful distinction between two kinds of carved figures, and they encode the difference in clothing. Clan animals, which represent extended families and ancestral lineage, are almost always shown wearing skirts — the visual marker of old age and wisdom. The monkey is not a clan animal. Like Hanuman in the Hindu tradition or Sun Wukong in the Chinese, the Ticuna monkey is a mythological figure of mischief, playfulness, and spontaneity. It cannot wear skirts. It wears pants instead, and the garment tells you exactly what kind of being you are looking at: not an ancestor, but a spirit of energy and play, carried into the home for the joy it brings.
Artisan Craftsmanship
The making of a Ticuna figure begins in the rainforest. Balsa wood is gathered locally and shaped by hand into the body of the figure. Then comes yanchama: bark stripped from a particular Amazonian tree, soaked in water for days, and beaten with wooden mallets until the fibers separate into a soft, paper-like cloth. The yanchama is wrapped around the carved form to create the figure's clothing and skin. Finally, the figure is painted by hand using the four traditional Ticuna pigments — black from genipapo fruit, red from achiote seeds, white from clay, yellow from earth and plant sources. The geometric markings reference the artisan's clan and inherited visual language.
Collector-Grade Quality
One of fifteen monkey figures in the current Ticuna arrival, hand-carried from the Colombian Amazon. Each was carved and painted by a single artisan, so no two are alike — small differences in stance, pigment, and line work distinguish every piece. A meaningful addition to a collection of indigenous art, a styled bookshelf, or a room that benefits from a note of warmth and movement.
Ethically Sourced
Woven.art works directly with Ticuna artisans in the Colombian Amazon, ensuring fair compensation and supporting the preservation of endangered cultural traditions. Your purchase directly sustains indigenous families and encourages younger generations to continue these artistic practices. Every figure ships with documentation of its origin and the cultural context of Ticuna iconography.
Details:
- Dimensions: Approximately 12 in (30 cm) tall
- Origin: Handcrafted in the Colombian Amazon by Ticuna artisans
- Materials: Balsa wood, yanchama bark cloth, natural pigments
- SKU: DOLL-042
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Handwoven in colombia by
Ticuna Tribe Craftsmen
No. of Artisansdozens of artists across multiple communities |
Originupper 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.
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.
