Emberá Sloth Spirit Mask - Handmade Ceremonial Art
Handwoven monkey spirit mask in natural palm fiber by Embera artisans from Panama rainforest
Group of woven Embera monkey spirit masks with shaggy fiber manes on a wood console
rear view of handmade palm leaf monkey mask showing three-dimensional craftsmanship
Embera Artisan from Panama
Emberá Sloth Spirit Mask - Handmade Ceremonial Art
Handwoven monkey spirit mask in natural palm fiber by Embera artisans from Panama rainforest
Group of woven Embera monkey spirit masks with shaggy fiber manes on a wood console
rear view of handmade palm leaf monkey mask showing three-dimensional craftsmanship
Embera Artisan from Panama

Emberá Sloth Spirit Mask - Handmade Ceremonial Art

SPM-3634

Handwoven by the Embera |★★★★★

Still Spirit of the Canopy

This sloth spirit mask captures the quiet presence of the canopy dweller, woven from natural palm fibers by Emberá artisans in Panama's Darién rainforest. One of one.

The Story

This sloth spirit mask captures the quiet presence of the canopy dweller. The Emberá people, Indigenous guardians of Panama's Darién rainforest, weave these masks from natural palm fibers to honor the animals they live alongside. The sloth is the patient one, the creature that sees everything from above without rushing toward any of it.

Chunga palm fibers are hand-selected, naturally dyed using plant-based pigments, and shaped through a tightly controlled coiling process. The layered construction and fine detailing reflect generations of inherited knowledge, with every line and contour formed entirely through weaving rather than external shaping.

I found Emberá masks on a basket-buying trip to Panama and loved them on sight: whimsical, playful, the opposite of a scary ethnic mask. Sweet enough for a nursery.

Wall-mounted. Works as a solo statement or grouped with other Emberá masks for a gallery effect. Display away from direct sunlight. Natural plant dyes are sensitive to prolonged UV exposure.

Sourced directly from Emberá communities in Panama's Darién Province, ensuring fair compensation and direct support for artisans preserving these ancestral weaving traditions.

Learn about Emberá woven art →

Details

Dimensions: Approx. 9″ W × 9″ H × 7″ D (23 × 23 × 18 cm)
Material: Palm fiber, natural plant-based dyes
Origin: Handwoven in Darién Province, Panama by Emberá artisans
Recommended stand: 12″ T-Arm, sold separately
Edition: One of one · SKU SPM-3634

Care & Shipping

Care: Dust with a soft dry cloth; keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
Shipping: Free within the continental US · ships in 1–3 business days
Returns: 14-day returns in original condition

$225.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Free Returns 14 Days
Artisan Made Direct from Community
Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handwoven in panama by

Emberá Tribe Craftsmen

Artist from the Emberá community

No. of Artisans

dozens of artists across multiple communities

Origin

Rainforests of eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia


Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Each Embera Animal mask is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families, preserve tradition, and sustain local economies.

In the forest communities of Panama and Colombia, Emberá artisans create expressive woven masks inspired by the animals, spirits, and stories of the rainforest.

Using the same finely shredded palm fibers and natural vegetal dyes found in traditional Wounaan baskets, each mask is carefully shaped and woven entirely by hand.

These striking pieces transform traditional basketry techniques into sculptural forms, preserving a distinctive tradition of Indigenous woven art.

The Story

In the rainforests of Panama’s Darién region, women of the Emberá tribe weave animal masks by hand from dyed, split palm fibers. Traditionally used by shamans in healing and cleansing rituals, the masks were displayed in ceremonial huts and often burned after the ceremony.

Today, Emberá artists continue this tradition, weaving masks for both ritual use and collectors while preserving the techniques and symbolism of this ancestral art.

Dyes Sourced from Nature

Dried pucham leaves tipped into a dye pot over an open fire

Pucham

Trumpet-flower vine. Fresh leaves give green, dried leaves give red.

A weaver working ground turmeric into a basin of chunga fiber

Asafrán

Turmeric root, grated and pounded for a sun-bright yellow.

Spiny achiote pods opened to show the red annatto seeds inside

Achiote

Annatto seed, for the most saturated orange in the palette.

Cocobolo wood grain in deep red and brown

Cocobolo

Rosewood shavings boiled down to brown. Mud takes it to black.

The Making

Embera animal masks are meticulously handwoven from the inner fibers of the Chunga palm, carefully split and prepared into fine strands. Using natural dyes made from rainforest seeds, roots, and leaves, artisans create the brilliant colors that define these handmade masks.

Each Embera mask reflects ancestral weaving traditions and often depicts rainforest animals in striking detail: hummingbirds, jaguars, owls, and more. Depending on size and complexity, a mask can take weeks or even months to complete, making every woven Embera animal mask a one-of-a-kind piece of indigenous art.

FAQ's

Embera masks are handwoven masks created by Indigenous Embera artisans in the rainforest regions of Panama, particularly in the Darién. Using fibers gathered from the forest, artists weave expressive animal forms inspired by the wildlife around them. Each Embera mask is made entirely by hand, making every piece a one-of-a-kind example of Indigenous woven art.

Traditional Embera masks are woven from chunga palm fiber, a rainforest plant that is harvested, split into fine strands, and dyed before weaving. The fibers are carefully shaped and woven to form animals such as birds, frogs, monkeys, and jaguars. Chunga palm is both flexible and durable, which allows artisans to create the intricate textures and sculptural forms that make Embera masks so distinctive.

Authentic Embera masks show the detail and variation that comes from hand weaving. When you look closely, you will notice fine stitching, natural fibers, and subtle differences in shape or pattern that reveal the hand of the artisan. Genuine masks are woven from chunga palm fiber by Embera artists using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Collectors value Embera masks for their craftsmanship and storytelling. The woven animal forms reflect the wildlife of Panama’s rainforest and the artistic traditions of the Embera people. Because each mask is handmade and no two are exactly alike, many collectors and interior designers display them as woven sculptures or Indigenous wall art.

Embera masks are most often displayed as handwoven wall art. Some collectors hang a single mask as a focal point, while others create a gallery arrangement of several masks to highlight different animal forms and weaving styles. Their sculptural shapes and natural fibers add texture, character, and a sense of global craftsmanship to a space.

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.

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.

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