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SKU: tx0389
• Product Size: 60" L x 28" W
$175.00
Product Origin
Shipibo-Conibo: Pucallpa
An icaro (Quechua: ikaro) is a song sung or whistled in vegetal ceremonies. The word icaro is believed to derive from the Quechua verb ikaray, which means "to blow smoke in order to heal." Icaros are used to enhance or subdue the effects of plant medicines, to evoke plant spirits, to invite the spirits of others or the deceased, to dispel dark spirits, or to protect those present, and to manage the ceremony. Experienced shamans can recite hundreds of icaros. Icaros are either whistled or vocalized in words and vocables. The singing or whistling of icaros is sometimes accompanied by the use of a chakapa, a rattle constructed from bundled leaves. Source: Wikipedia contributors. "Icaro." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 3 Apr. 2016. Web. 2 Jun. 2016.
The Shipibo are one of 14 indigenous tribes living in the Amazon basin in Peru and at present consist of around 35,000 people living in over 300 villages in the Pucallpa area situated mainly along the Rio Ucayali. They believe that the universe was sung into being by a giant anaconda, and as she sang, the patterns of her skin covered the universe. The intricate weavings created for centuries by the Shipibo are an ornate representation of the serpent's skin and, at the same time, are the actual, written music for the songs (icaros). Traditionally, the knowledge of the weaving patterns and songs has been passed down through the women, but due to the recent presence of western influences on the younger generations of women, these traditions are rapidly being lost.
The textile you see here is from the family of the late Herlinda Augustine and other women of the village of San Francisco. Herlinda Fernandez Augustine was one of a few Shipibo-Conibo indigenous woman healers – onaya or auahuasca shaman, whose life work is a unique repertoire of ancient songs (called icaros) which she uses to affect healing of her people and change in the world around her. Her songs speak of the power of plants and the importance of harmony between Man and Nature. She was featured in the award winning documentary film by Anna Stevens and her icaros are featured in a CD by the same name. Herlinda is survived by her husband Enrique, mother Manuela, daughter Magdalena and son Henry. We work with Henry and his wife Anny in support of keeping the weaving tradition alive.
