Jewelry, peoples and craftsmanship

To speak about Indigenous craft in Brazil is to speak about a great diversity of peoples, cultures and forms of craftsmanship.

Each people has its own history and cultural expressions. Materials, colors, motifs and techniques can therefore vary from one people to another, as well as from one artisan and creation to another.

Materials transformed by hand

Miçanga, seeds, plant fibers, wood and other materials are worked through different forms of craftsmanship to create jewelry in a wide range of shapes and compositions.

Miçanga, in particular, holds an important place in the artistic expression of several Indigenous peoples of Brazil. Yet these small glass beads do not originate in the Amazon: those used in the pieces selected by Amazonikaa are made in the Czech Republic.

This meeting between a material from elsewhere and craftsmanship developed in Brazil is a reminder that a living culture is never fixed.

Naming when we know

Amazonikaa works with artisans and partners from different Indigenous peoples and traditional communities in Brazil.

When the origin of a piece and the artisan's people are known, we state them so that its context remains visible. When we do not have sufficiently precise information, we prefer not to assign the jewelry a story, symbol or meaning that is not documented.

Because sharing a culture also means respecting its complexity.

Discovering Brazil differently

Through these creations, Amazonikaa seeks to open a window onto part of Brazil's cultural diversity and to highlight the women and men who keep their craftsmanship alive through their work.

The jewelry then becomes a meeting point: between an artisan and the person who wears it, between Brazil and Europe.

Miçanga: small beads, multiple skills

In Brazil, they are called “miçangas.” These small glass beads hold an important place in the artistic expression of several Indigenous peoples.

However, the material itself does not come from the Amazon: the Miçangas used in the creations selected by Amazonikaa are manufactured in the Czech Republic.

A material transformed by craftsmanship

In the hands of artisans, Miçangas are assembled to create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and other compositions in a multitude of shapes and colors.

However, there is no single “Miçanga craft.”

Amazonikaa works with artisans from different Indigenous peoples and traditional communities in Brazil. Techniques, compositions, and artistic universes can therefore vary according to the artisan and the creation.

This is why we avoid automatically attributing a meaning to a color, pattern, or shape when it is not documented.

A living culture

The history of the Miçanga also allows us to understand something essential: a living culture is not defined solely by the geographical origin of its materials.

A small glass bead made in Europe can become, in the hands of an artisan in Brazil, the medium for a unique artistic expression.

What matters then is not just the material, but the actions, choices, and expertise of the person who transforms it.

Discovering the artisans behind the creations

Amazonikaa selects its jewelry from partner artisans in Brazil and wishes, when information is documented, to make their origin and context visible.

Discovering the Miçanga means going beyond the bead itself to focus on the women and men who transform it into a creation.

Taking care of your handmade jewelry

The creations selected by Amazonikaa are handmade using a variety of materials: beads (miçanga), seeds, plant fibers, wood, Capim Dourado, natural stones, or metallic elements, depending on the piece.

To preserve their appearance over time:

• avoid prolonged contact with water and humidity;

• avoid direct contact with perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, and other chemical products;

• avoid prolonged exposure to the sun;

• avoid friction with surfaces that may scratch or damage the materials;

• after use, gently clean your jewelry with a soft, dry cloth;

• preferably store it separately, in a dry place away from direct light.

Each material has its own characteristics. When specific precautions are necessary, please also refer to the information provided on the jewelry’s product page.