Indimbo

Indimbo means “threads” in the guaraní language. The indigenous women of Bolivia’s Indimbo Cooperative weave threads to restore their communities, their culture, their forests and their “yandereko” – their way of living as a guaraní nation in harmony with nature.

Threads bind together a line of household products – belts, bags, shirts, pillow covers and jewellery – created by the women of Indimbo. In these weavings, the history and values of the guaraní are shared; the designs capture the stars, flowers, fish, birds and other animals through which they communicate guaraní culture and mythology.

In 2022, ten guaraní women birthed the cooperative, which has grown to almost 100 women from six indigenous communities. Indimbo is a bio-economic initiative that improves the quality of life of the guaraní women and their children while at the same time taking care of the forest, the main source of materials, food, energy and inspiration for the handicrafts they produce.

The guaraní believe that the dry Chaco Forest, the Parapetí “Yande Yari” (grandmother) River and all her ecosystems and threads are alive and must be protected from the greatest and most intense threats. Indeed, Yande Yari must ultimately be restored to her natural state. An integral part of the Indimbo initiative has therefore been the restoration and conservation of almost 10,000 acres of forest along the Parapetí river.

As Indimbo works to become financially independent, the cooperative has been supported technically and financially by the Natura Bolivia Foundation and by the Autonomous Indigenous Government of Charagua Iyambae.

  • Community, Networks
  • 2025
  • Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Award
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