Weaving the Pacific

Weaving the Pacific… Then, Now and Beyond is a new section where aspects of weaving crafts in the Pacific will be periodically introduced, from the botanical aspects of the craft to the current artisans, and from the living artifacts to the museum specimens.

We begin this adventure in April 2024, focusing on the Mariana Islands in a series of posts that feature James Bamba and his work. Bamba is an expert Chamorro weaver from Guam, and scientific collaborator (and friend) of this section’s host (MCB) (see post with Bamba’s bio). The section name pays homage to an exhibition organized by Bamba in 2016 on Guam (https://www.facebook.com/events/s/antes-pago-yan-mona/851254998301195/) entitled Åntes, På’go, yan Mo’na: A journey across time through the eyes of weavers.

It is our hope that the spirit of the living crafts and artisans conveyed by this exhibition remains at the core of our work here.

Weaving the Pacific… Then, Now and Beyond is part of the Asia-Pacific Basketry Network of Research (APB). Founded in 2023 with the aim of studying Asia-Pacific Basketry by bringing together research on Spanish Museum collections and archaeological, archaeobotanical and ethnobotanical data from Asia and the Pacific, the APB network will:

  • Favor ethical research practices on the study of basketry (and cordage) studies.
  • Promote and create international collaborations, training programs and research projects focused on this topic.

APB’s activities will be developed in online and conventional meetings, promoting training workshops and collaborative projects, and exhibitions.

APB founding members are:

Weaving the Pacific… Then, Now and Beyond is happily opened to contributions about the Asia-Pacific weaving traditions. We aim to make visible and take the knowledge about weaving as far as it can go.

María Cruz Berrocal

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