Among the many different Amazonian cultures, the culture of the Ashaninka is one of the most preserved. In the tribal communities they continue to live as they have for thousands of years, and there are even some groups who live deep in the Amazon and have to this continue to live uncontacted nomadic lifestyles. Things such as clothing, jewelry, and make up are key cornerstones of the Ashaninka’s culture. The Cushma, or as its known in Ashaninka Kitharentsi, is a piece of garb common in many different tribal cultures. For many of the Ashaninka the Cushma represents a person’s primary article of clothing and is often worn every day. The Cushma offers different levels of protection in the physical sense, from insects, thorns, or other jungle dangers, while also offering a degree of spiritual protection to the wearer.
This Cushma is a variety of Cushma’s meant to be worn by women. Unlike the men’s style of Cushma this Cushma is made of fabric died and painted with natural materials made from clay and seeds. The designs on this Cushma represent the patterns of a certain type of snake, and is meant to invoke good luck, beauty, and protection. This particular Cushma was made by the daughter of an Ashaninka chieftan (cacique), who has also completed many of the different dietas and initiations observed by the Ashaninka curanderos.
This Cushma is a variety of Cushma’s meant to be worn by women. Unlike the men’s style of Cushma this Cushma is made of fabric died and painted with natural materials made from clay and seeds. The designs on this Cushma represent the patterns of a certain type of snake, and is meant to invoke good luck, beauty, and protection. This particular Cushma was made by the daughter of an Ashaninka chieftan (cacique), who has also completed many of the different dietas and initiations observed by the Ashaninka curanderos.