The Adventures of Kerri & Matt

This is the Mamo of the Wiwa, he is basically the king. He is giving Kerri bracelets for our nieces, and a bag for Matt.

And two little bags his daughters (the princesses) made for the girls that are supposed to hold hopes and dreams but also happen to be Barbie-sized.

He is the only person we have ever met who’s picture is on money.

He is the only person that is allowed to live in Teyuna in this little house he built on one of the old foundations

Other people live in this little village we passed along the way, but only when they are passing through for ceremonies

Most of the time these buildings are empty

The roofs are made of palm leaves

They use gourds for coca. The white on top is a mixture of lime, coca and spit that builds up over time and they shape it decoratively.

The bags are made from cactus

First you have to scrape all the goo off of the cactus

Which was hard work and no one wanted to help Kerri

After the goo is scraped off the cactus fibres are left

Which they dry out and dye pretty colours with leaves

And then they use the threads to make the bags.