The versatile wayapamsî: potencies of water and sky in a Wai Wai plaitwork
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/1678-9857.ra.232269Keywords:
Basketry, anthropology of technology, Wai Wai Peoples, EthnoarchaeologyAbstract
Based on ethnographic immersions, analyses of ethnographic collections and a bibliographical review, this ethnoarchaeological study, inspired by the Anthropology of Technology, deals with the versatility of the wayapamsî, a plaitwork made by the Wai Wai peoples, thinking on the difficulties of translating it. Information is presented on the origin and importance of this artefact for marriage, from the perspective of the peoples in question. In order to understand the wayapamsî in terms of meanings constructed and recognised from the material experiences of its production and manipulation, the paper explores the details of the production processes of this plaitwork, the technical and formal variability, the production skills and possibilities of individual expression of the artisans, and the artifact multifunctionality. Finally, reflections are made on the relationships that these wefts establish with different beings and activities throughout their existence, based on the potency of water and the sky that have been woven into their bodies.
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