Amazon Nativity

“This Nativity, made by the Mamani family, depicts the figures as Shipibo-Conibo, an indigenous people along the Ucayali River in the Amazon rainforest in Peru. The Shipibo-Conibo continue to adhere to elements of their traditional belief system, especially shamanism. The intricate rectilinear patterns on their clothing and pottery, which are designed by the women of the community, are derived from the cosmological visions of the shamans.

Spanish missionaries first entered the territory of the Shipibo-Conibo in the 17th century, and since then traditional animism has blended with Christianity. The wise men in this Nativity bring gifts from the rainforest: a turtle, cacao bean pods (the raw product used to make chocolate and cocoa), and a bunch of bananas. A wild boar and a tapir have taken the place of the ox and donkey familiar from European Nativity scenes. Hilda Mamani Olivera, the key artist in the Peruvian family of potters that made this Nativity, describes their philosophy:

‘Our work activity comes from the family and from them we have inherited all of our knowledge of traditional pottery. We have come up with innovations, trying to rescue the most heartfelt customs of our people and representing Peru in a way that is both spiritual and testimonial.’” (Ed and Kirsten Gyllenhaal, label text, “World Nativities 2020”)