To move communities, that’s what Silvia does and has been doing for years. Her pride in being a leader is palpable, well aware of her influence over the women and youth of her Curripako community, who have fervently embraced their cultural identity under her guidance. Leadership is an intrinsic part of her heritage, handed down by her father, Emilio Mario Garrido, an octogenarian who founded El Guamal, their community settlement 25 years ago. As the former captain of his people, he instilled enduring values in his family. Silvia, along with her aunt, cousin, son, and grandson, all assumed leadership roles within their community, with Silvia herself serving from 2018 to 2022.

Silvia is resolute and articulate, comfortable articulating her thoughts and experiences. Her involvement in public events and speaking engagements showcases her willingness to champion her ideas. She proudly mentions her training with the group “”Women Keepers of the Colombian Amazon,”” instrumental in fostering an awareness of the imperative need to reforest their rainforests and cultivate moriche and chiquichiqui—the raw materials for their crafts. Their four-hectare cultivation now yields the resources required to craft the ethnic artisanal pieces they’ve gained renown for.

These independent women actively sought ways to secure their own income, purchase their necessities, and assert their autonomy. While traditionally surrounded by woven pieces primarily used for food processing—such as the budare, sebucán, catumare, sifter, and grater, traditionally crafted by men—they identified an opportunity in the artisanal realm. Crafting decorative items like baskets, trays, and notably, jewelry became their forte. They create exquisite moriche palm earrings filled with chiquichiqui fibers.

Their journey has been lengthy, involving participation in numerous courses aimed not only at refining their technique but also delving into fashion and design. This pursuit has elevated their product to a whole new level. Their workshop, named Kushiba after the weaver bird inhabiting the moriche palms, proudly showcases their creations in runways, lauded for their exquisite beauty. Silvia takes pride in the dedicated work they’ve invested, akin to nurturing a bountiful harvest, now reaping its deserved rewards. They are the women of Kushiba.

Diving into culinary passions, Silvia excels as a representative of her culture, boasting a finger-licking Ajicero soup—a robust fish broth laden with copious amounts of chili peppers, capable of igniting a fiery burst of flavors while curing the entire body. Her repertoire extends to traditional moqueado fish—smoked and wrapped in woven leaves, cooked on the grill, exuding an aroma of pure indulgence. Notably, Guanía’s array of wild fruits including seje, uva camarona, moriche, arazá, acaí, caupí, cumarí, Amazon lulo, pineapple, and Brazil nut, exemplify the richness of this land, revered and preserved by Silvia and her community. Upholding their artisanal heritage has evolved into their mission, infusing their lives with a profound sense of beauty and purpose.