Colorful Emberá Necklace Zigzag Pattern, handmade bead necklace

The Emberá Chami people lives in different Andean regions mainly in the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío. The Emberá people has been historically affected by the inner war and violence inside the country, they have been displaced on force to live in other regions and their cultural heritage has been affected by this. The Emberá Chami jewelry knitting is related to their native language, their worldview and the spiritual world, as well as the constant communication they have with the jungle.

Through the garments and particularly their accessories, they tell stories. With monkey teeth, bones and seeds they used to make necklaces, bracelets and appliques, which were supplanted with beads made of plastic or fiberglass and bright colors. Mothers have taught their daughters from generation to generation the techniques, the meaning of each color, the signs and the drawings, leaving the cultural legacy through their knitting.