Wichi Community

The Wichi Community inhabits a large region of native forest, in the province of Chaco, northern Argentina. Despite the colonization and the devastating exploitation of the forests they inhabit, the Wichis have learned to make use of the abundant nature around them without destroying it. They have resisted fiercely and have kept their mother tongue and cultural heritage alive. The objects they produce, using chaguar fiber, palo santo wood and clay, are their source of livelihooda and form of expression

The Chaguar process

The chaguar plant resembles the yucca or aloe vera with sword-shaped evergreen leaves. For countless generations, indigenous Wichi women have mastered the skills necessary to obtain the chaguar fiber from its tough leaves. 

They go into the forest with machetes or sticks to collect the wild harvest. They choose the leaves, remove the thorns and peel them, separating the fibers from the outer part. Then, they process the chaguar fibers in a traditional method that includes cleaning, crushing, scraping, and repeatedly soaking them in water to soften them up. Afterwards, they hang them on branches to dry. Once dry, the fibers are spun into threads by ‘spinning’ them on their thighs with ash-impregnated fingers until a strong and resistant thread is achieved. These threads are then dyed with natural pigments obtained from plants, roots, seeds, and fruits. A long process, full of patience, love and respect for nature.

The work of the chaguar fiber is an exclusive task of Wichí women, and their beautiful and unique designs are inspired by the natural surroundings of rural Argentina.

Palo Santo wood

Palo Santo is one of the greates trasures of the South American forest known as Impenetrable, for its dense and difficult to access biodiversity, in the Gran Chaco region. Due to its intense aroma, it was considered sacred and ceremonial by ancient cultures, who burned pieces of the trunk in shamanic rituals. It grows very slowly, and therefore it’s a precious resource essential to protect. For the last century, the Wichi men have gathered only fallen branches and trees to create aromatic, rustic and smooth hand-carved pieces. 

This intentional process preserves living trees, maintaining the balance between man and nature. Each one-of-a-kind piece holds great cultural value, reflecting this harmonious relationship and representing a contribution to both art and environmental protection.