Shipibo skirt (Chitonti) hand-embroidered

Hand-embroidered Shipibo skirt (Chitonti) – made by an elderly curandera from a traditional healer family in Pucallpa, Peru.

This piece is a traditional embroidered shawl of the Shipibo-Conibo, sewn together to form a wearable skirt. It can be easily folded down and used as a skirt – ideal for ceremonies, sound journeys or as a powerful art object in the room.

The geometric patterns of the Shipibo (Kené) are closely linked to the world of plant medicine. Among the Shipibo, they are considered to be healing songs (icaros) made visible: each pattern corresponds to a song that is sung in the ayahuasca ceremony. Embroidery, carrying and singing are expressions of the same language.

The patterns of this piece

Main pattern – Bero Icha Kené (“many eyes”): Characterized by numerous densely spaced, colored polygonal shapes. They stand for the many eyes or the many perspectives within an ayahuasca ceremony. The pattern is associated with humility and the awareness that there are many ways to interpret information, visions and messages of medicine.

Edge pattern above – Peto Kené (“follow the dots”): One of the basic patterns that points to a simpler, clearer path in life. The recurring “V” shapes are considered gestures towards the graceful path of lightness – even in challenging times, a goal can be followed step by step. Some associate Peto Kené with the waves on the water or with raindrops falling on a roof.

Significance in the ceremony

Among the Shipibo, embroidered textiles are worn in ceremonies because the patterns are understood as an energetic structure that gives clarity and alignment. The embroidery is traditionally made by women by hand over many days; the knowledge of the route is passed down through generations. This piece comes from an older curandera from a traditional healer family in Pucallpa and thus carries her craftsmanship and experience that has grown over generations.

Real handicraft – days for a single piece

A Kené of this density does not emerge in hours, but over many days. Each line is embroidered by hand, without a template, guided by the inner image of the pattern. The fine, densely placed embroidery of the Bero Icha Kené makes this shawl one of the more elaborate works of its kind. Whoever holds it in their hands holds the time, patience and knowledge passed down through generations of a Shipibo family from Pucallpa.

Application

Simply get in, fold it down and fix it at the hip – done. Due to the open cloth sewn to the tube, the skirt fits flexibly for almost all sizes. This makes it easy to wear for ceremonies, sound journeys or festive occasions.

Dimensions & Material

• Height approx. 69 cm
• Width approx. 84 cm (circumference approx. 168 cm, sewn together to form a skirt)
• Material: cotton, embroidered by hand
• Handmade from Pucallpa, Peru

Hints

• Handmade unique piece – small irregularities in stitch pattern, colour and shape are part of the craftsmanship tradition and not a defect.
• Sewn together as a scarf to form a skirt, easy to put on and wear.