Illustration: Group of Kali'na, 1892.
The Kali'na live along the southern shores of the Caribbean and have homes that stretch from Venezuela to Guyane. They are considered to be small minorities in each of the modern countries that they now find themselves being citizens of. However, before the arrival of Europeans they dominated the area between the mouths of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. The Kali'na have lived in the vicinity of the two South American rivers for at least two millennia and have undoubtedly been in the area for much longer than the material evidence so far shows.
Self-sufficiency has always been an important element of the culture of the Kali'na and, as far as possible; all aspects of life could be procured from their immediate environment. Woven craft products were produced from raw materials found within the local environment and ranged from large to small scale, with shelters being the most immediate example. However, it is the smaller domestic ware that shows most originality and diversity, with numerous finely woven baskets and bags produced for both long-term storage and that of the more immediate foraging bags.
Illustration: Kali'na village, 1839.
Basketry was always an important and inherent part of learnt craft skills and was always part of the practical necessities of life. However, as with all human cultures, the decorative arts were never far behind those practical necessities. Embellishment and the expansion of the ordinary came in many forms. In Kali'na basketry, it was shown by using differently coloured and toned raw materials to produce outwardly patterned effects. However, there was also the much subtler approach of using patterned weave. Even though the raw weaving material may be the same tone and colour and therefore immediately indistinguishable, the weave pattern would break up, enhance and vary the weave giving both a subtle decorative pattern and texture to the woven basket or bag.
Illustration: Examples of Kali'na basketry, 1839.
There is an immediacy and connectedness with the proximity of the surrounding world that links the Kali'na with a sense of intimately belonging to that world, whether through ancestral roots or perhaps the use of surrounding raw materials that they would have seen as being crucial to both their survival and way of life. In some respects the culture of the Kali'na was their surrounding environment. The craft skills they passed on through the generations enhanced and supported the life of the community and allowed them to expand and grow within their immediate environment.
Illustration: Kali'na man, 1892.
It is important to remember that there are no levels or tiers separating human cultures. Europeans observed and judged people like the Kali'na and often these took two familiar forms. They could either be seen as primitive savages lacking in sophistication and accomplishments, or they could be seen as noble savages, still unsophisticated and lacking European accomplishments, but living a life of unsophisticated purity. Either way the European example of cultural life would be seen as the higher form.
Illustration: Examples of Kali'na weaponry and tools, 1839.
Of course, these European views and judgements were grossly inaccurate and misinformed, often purposely. The Kali'na were as sophisticated and accomplished as any European, as were their decorative and craft arts which flourished, expanded and reflected both the individual crafts person and that of the community. Indeed, craft skills were at times beyond the level achieved by Europeans.
Illustration: Kali'na youth, 1892.
Basketry by its very nature is a practical result of the needs of the community linked with the availability of the surrounding environment. The embellishment of that practical necessity often says much more about a culture and a community than any number of European judgements and fantasies about simple people and savages.
Further reading links:
Na'na Kali'na: Une histoire des Kali'na en Guyane (French Edition)
La Guyane française au temps de l'esclavage, de l'or et de la francisation
Histoire de la Guyane contemporaine, 1940-1982: Les mutations economiques, sociales et politiques (French Edition)
Histoire de la societe guyanaise: Les annees cruciales, 1848-1946 (Etudes et documents / Centre guyanais d'etudes et de recherches) (French Edition)
La Guyane francaise, de la colonisation a la departementalisation: La formation de la societe creole guyanaise (French Edition)
Demographics of Suriname: Ethnic Groups in Suriname, Arawak, Non-Resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Saramaka, Maroon, Kali'na People
Society of French Guiana: Ethnic Groups in French Guiana, Religion in French Guiana, Kali'na People, Palikur, Wayampi
