The Keeper & Flute Player, Emberá Muñeca Couple

The Keeper and The Flute Player, a pair of handwoven Cunana munecas styled together in a room

The Keeper and The Flute Player shown together, handwoven Embera figures from Panama

Embera woman with body paint weaving a basket while seated in an open thatched hut

Artisan's hands drawing a palm-fiber strip through a weave in progress

The Keeper, female Cunana muneca with feather headdress and black-and-white basket

The Flute Player, male Cunana muneca with a woven flute at his mouth

Heap of palm fibers dyed in many colors drying in a pile

Handwoven by the Embera |★★★★★

The Keeper and Her Musician

The Keeper and The Flute Player were woven as a pair, and they belong together. She wears a woven feather headdress and a colorful paruma, a black-and-white basket under her arm. Beside her stands something we had never seen before: a musician, the flute woven right into his hands and lifted to his mouth. A household, and a little music.

Rosamelia Cunana and her mother, Señora de Cunana, are the only family still making these. Each figure is woven entirely by hand over about two months. The black designs are jagua body-painting patterns, the same marks the Emberá wear from jaw to ankle.

Details

Set: A couple, two figures sold together
Figures: The Keeper (female) and The Flute Player (male, with woven flute)
Dimensions: Each approx. 13 in tall × 3 in wide × 3 in deep (33 × 8 × 8 cm)
Materials: Chunga & nahuala palm fiber, natural dyes, cotton
Display: Two fitted black metal stands included
Origin: Handwoven in Sambú, Emberá Comarca, Darién, Panama
Makers: Rosamelia Cunana and her mother, Señora de Cunana
Technique: Coiled and hand-dyed
Edition: A one-of-a-kind pair. SKU OBDP-011-008-PAIR
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

Bought straight from the Cunana family in Panama’s Darién, picked out in person by Jen, at fair prices with no one in between.

Meet the Cunana family →

$1,225.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Two figures, each approx. 13 in tall x 3 in wide x 3 in deep (33 x 8 x 8 cm). Each stands on a fitted black metal stand.
One-of-a-kind handwoven figure
1000's of stitches over weeks & months
Traditional Embera weaving artistry

Free Returns 14 Days

Artisan Made Direct from Community

Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handwoven in panama by

Emberá Tribe Craftsmen

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

Liana Vine

Gathered from the rainforest canopy.

Trumpet Vine

Wild blossoms turned natural dye

Saffron

Golden pigment from delicate threads

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.

The Keeper and The Flute Player, a Cunana Muñeca Couple