Hand-crafted clothing, beverages – hallmark of rich Amerindian culture

Many people often think the cost of indigenous clothing isn’t high, but few would realise the strenuous process involved in making these traditional pieces.
During the Amerindian Heritage Month service at Austin House in Kingston, Georgetown on Friday, the intricate details of creating indigenous garments were explained by Sabanto Onyi, a professional in Amerindian clothing, cuisine, and languages.
Onyi shared that crafting a single skirt can take up to 10 trees, a fact that is often overlooked. “This is well-known as tibisiri straw, and in the Lokono language, we call it chishiri, but it’s known across other indigenous nations as tibisiri straw,” she explained.
The tibisiri straw is obtained from the tree shoots, which produce a small yield of straw after a labor-intensive process which is at times very strenuous for the persons who take time out of their day to make them.
“You have to strip it, boil it, and dry it before it can be used to create any kind of traditional attire or craft,” she related while addressing the misconception that making indigenous clothing is easy.
“Sometimes, when people ask about the price of a skirt or a top, and you tell them the cost, they might say it’s expensive. But, like I said, for a child’s skirt, it takes about 10 shoots to get enough straw for just one.”
Though she only highlighted a child’s shirt, she alludes to the fact that adult skirts are also time-consuming to make, thus more money as well.
The tibisiri straw isn’t only used for clothing but for various crafts such as hammocks, bags, furniture and other traditional items.
“It’s a long process, but it’s what we’ve been doing for as long as we can remember. This is how we create not just clothing but hammocks, craft, and a wide range of items,” Onyi emphasised.
Tibisiri straw is a traditional material used by Amerindian communities in Guyana. It is derived from the young shoots of the ité palm tree (Mauritia flexuosa), which grows in the savannas and wetlands across the country.
Creating Tibisiri straw is no simple task. The process begins with the careful stripping of the ité palm shoots, followed by boiling and drying the fibers. The result is a durable, flexible straw that can be used for a wide range of traditional crafts and clothing. Due to the small yield from each shoot, each clothing requires lots of time to make.

It is woven into traditional skirts and garments, often worn during cultural celebrations and ceremonies.
The straw is also utilised in the creation of baskets, mats, hammocks, and bags, which are renowned for their durability and intricate designs.
Tibisiri straw is more than just a crafting material. It carries cultural significance, representing centuries of tradition and craftsmanship within Guyana’s indigenous communities. The careful and labour-intensive process of creating tibisiri items is a testament to the skill and artistry passed down through generations.
In addition to the clothing on display, several traditional foods were showcased for those in attendance. Among them were paiwari and kassiri – two traditional beverages made from cassava.
Other Indigenous makers of the cuisine who were at the event spoke to this newscast and shared the process of making these drinks.
“First, you must grate the cassava and prepare the matapi, then, you bake the cassava until it’s brown, not too dark. Once done, you soak it in warm water and let it cure,” she explained.
The curing process can range from three days to even two weeks or longer, depending on personal preference.
The Amerindian Heritage Month service provided a vibrant showcase of the rich traditions and skills of Guyana’s indigenous peoples, reminding attendees of the time, effort, and artistry involved in keeping these cultural practices alive.