Introduction - Katukina.us Partner Spotlight Series:

This month, we are grateful to feature a partner and talented artisan who is near and dear to our hearts at Katukina.us.

Today, Katukina.us is honored to share the story of Sulili (Sully), the creator of our authentic Shipibo tapestries. Crafted by a 9th-generation Shipibo lineage from the Ucayali region of Peru, today we will share some of her story and the inspiration behind her offerings.

Let's start by introducing Sully in her own words:

"Hello, good day. My name is Sully, and I am from the Shipibo-Conibo ethnic group. I was born in the native community of Puerto Consuelo, but I currently live in the native community of San Salvador.

The women of my tribe are dedicated to making handicrafts with embroidered fabrics and also with ancestral seeds. We teach the girls of my tribe to embroider from a very young age. It is a hobby for many girls, and for boys, it is fishing.

My ancestors were shamans, dedicated to ancestral medicine. Many of our older women were doctors, and thanks to them, we grew up healthy and safe. As a child, I suffered from an illness that was said to be incurable in the community, but thanks to our plants, I am now healthy and safe. I am very happy and grateful because I can teach and share many of our customs with more people." ~ Sulili (Sully)

Pictured ~ This is how you reach my community.

In our Katukina.us Partner Spotlight we highlight a different partner behind each of our offerings every month. This is our way to provide an opportunity to share the people and their stories behind our offerings.

We hope that through this series, you feel inspired and fall in love with their offerings. Consider purchasing an item from their collection as your kind support and purchases go a long way in helping support them and their families directly, as well as them being able to continue making their art.

Partner Spotlight: Sulili (Sully) Martinez Authentic Shipibo-Conibo Tapestries and Embroidery

PARTNER:	Sulili Martinez
BRAND:	Authentic Shipibo-Conibo Tapestries and Embroidery by Sully
LOCATION:	Perú - Pucallpa
WEBSITE:	Katukina.us Collection
SOCIAL MEDIA:	Instagram @ Sulili Martinez

The Origin Story

What first called you to work with your craft (medicine, textiles, art, tools, etc.)? How has that journey shaped who you are today?

"Las artesanias lo trabajamos desde la temprana edad, como parte de la cultura shipibo conibo, y parte de nuestros pasatiempos, a esa edad aun no sabemos los significados, nuestras madres nos lo dan para ir aprendiendo, una vez cumplido lo suficiente edad para recibir la medicina, hacemos ceremonias y al día siguiente tenemos que pintar para poder bordarlo.

Y ahora en la actualidad los artesanías que hacemos es por que el trabajo en la selva es un poco difícil de conseguir, mi deseo ahora es, que sepan mas de mi cultura, compartir el trabajo que hacemos con mucho amor y dedicación."

(English Translation):

"We’ve been making handicrafts since we were very young—it’s part of Shipibo-Conibo culture and one of our hobbies. At that age, we don’t yet understand the meanings behind them; our mothers give them to us so we can learn. Once we’re old enough to receive the medicine, we hold ceremonies, and the next day we have to paint the designs so we can embroider them.

Nowadays, we make these crafts because it’s a bit difficult to find work in the jungle. My hope now is that people will learn more about my culture and that I can share the work we do with so much love and dedication.  

The Intention

When someone holds or works with one of your creations, what energy, experience, or message do you hope they receive?

"Espero que sientan nuestra energías de los ancestros y puedan conectarse mejor con la medicina, la mejor experiencia, y espero que reciba el mensajes de las plantas maestras, que estén dietando."

(English Translation):

"I hope you feel the energy of our ancestors and can connect more deeply with the medicine—the best experience—and I hope you receive the messages from the master plants that are on a fast. "

Featured Piece

Of the items we currently carry in the Katukina shop, which one feels most alive for you right now? What makes it special? What was the process of bringing it to life?

"Hay una tela que tiene una tecnica ancestral, tientes artesanales. Todo esta pintados con tintes artesanales y bordado al mismo tiempo."

(English Translation):

"There is a fabric made using an ancient technique with artisanal dyes. It is both hand-dyed with artisanal dyes and embroidered at the same time."

Craft & Integrity:

What is one thing most people don’t understand about the time, intention, or sourcing behind your work?

"Que muchas veces nos tomamos tiempo entre 1 mes o 2 meses. Avaces tenemos que salir en busca de tintes artesanales, o comprar telas, hilos, y muchas veces bordamos nuestras visiones. Es una manera de compartir también."

(English Translation):

"We often take between one and two months to complete a project. Sometimes we have to go out in search of artisanal dyes or buy fabrics and threads, and we often embroider our visions. It’s also a way of sharing. "

Community & Mission:

What are you currently building, protecting, or devoted to that you’d love our community to know about?

"Estoy tratando de construir mi propio espacio espiritual. Me dedico al trabajo de agricultura y bordados, tratando de ahorrar para poder comprar un terreno y hacer sembrios de mis plantas, ya que en la actualidad también es un poco difícil de conseguir las plantas qué queremos dietar. Para que cuando la gente llegue conmigo se me haga mas fácil conseguir todo la medicina."

(English Translation):

"I'm trying to create my own spiritual space. I work in agriculture and embroidery, trying to save up so I can buy some land and grow my own plants, since right now it's also a little difficult to find the plants we want to use for medicinal purposes. That way, when people come to visit me, it will be easier for me to get all the medicine I need."

Offerings

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