Filandia, a charming town of the Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape, celebrates the festivities of the basket.
Weaving objects such as the basket with natural fibers has been for decades one of the most representative crafts in the region, the coffee basket being one of the most representative products.
Today in Filandia, this traditional art survives, as a result of the effort and dedication of more than 25 artisan families.
Nature Trips Colombia pays tribute to this art technique, and to artisanal teachers who preserve intangible heritage, when designing the author’s tour, “Filandia, daughter of the Andes“, based on the experiences of knowing the ecosystem from where the vegetable fibers come, the architecture, in whose construction they were used at a time when there was no steel for construction in the country, and the experience of interacting with the knowledge and practice of the elaboration of handmade objects made with fibers like dog gut or “tripeperro” (Philodendron longirrhizum) which is a hemiepífita plant of wide distribution in the Andes of Colombia. The aerial roots of this plant are traditionally used by artisans from the Coffee Axis region (Cordillera Central) to make baskets and various handicrafts.
The Fiestas del Canasto are celebrated in August and for its 141st anniversary in 2019, and will last until August 20, which is also the day on which Finland’s birthday is celebrated.
Throughout the year, you can enjoy the “Filandia, daughter of the Andes” tour in the company of the Nature Trips team, visiting this town, winner of the national sustainable tourism award.
