Shipibo Kene Guide

The Kené is not merely a design; it is a sacred language, an intricate expression of the natural world, culture, and spirituality of the Shipibo-Konibo people of the Peruvian Amazon. Each pattern tells a story—of rivers that connect, of ancestors, of guardians that protect, and of the unity that binds the people to the land and one another.

Koros Kene

CROSS DESIGN

This design takes the form of a cross. While the term koros (meaning “cross”) is a neologism derived from the Spanish word 'cruz,' this design predates the arrival of Westerners in the Amazon. Among the Shipibo-Konibo people, the koros kené is most commonly associated with the Ani Xeati festival. The Ani Xeati is a big festival every year where many tribes gathered to celebrate, share skills, and trade. These festivals took months to prepare and lasted over a week.

Mapo Kene

Head design

This design, known as Mapo in Shipibo, takes the shape of a head—a symbol of leadership, wisdom, and spiritual strength. Representing a person with deep thoughts and the ability to guide and unify a family, Mapo honors the strength and integrity of ancestral Shipibo men, who were respected for their resilience, honesty, and dedication. Traditionally, women painted this design as a tribute to their husbands, embodying the values of courage and hardworking spirit that defined the men of their community.

Maya Kene

circular design

This circular design, known as the Mayan Kené, conveys a sense of forward motion through its rotating patterns. Symbolic and geometric, it draws inspiration from the serene lakes, winding Amazonian rivers, and hidden ravines. Some describe Mayan Kené as a geometric abstraction of an imagined landscape—a kind of archetypal map seen from above, like a bird’s eye view of an interconnected world. Inspired by rivers, the ancient pathways that once linked relatives, Mayan Kené symbolizes the unity of the Shipibo-Konibo people, distinguishing them from other nations. For the women who embroider Mayan Kené, each stitch holds affection, memory, and thought; in essence, they embroider their own soul, as their being is inseparable from this intimate dialogue with community and land. To our people, the trees and rivers are as much a part of us as we are of them. Mayan Kené reflects this sacred bond, embodying the circle of life that unites all beings with the land that sustains them.

Ronin Kene

yacumama - mother of snakes

This design honors Yacumama, the legendary “Mother of Snakes”—a vast serpent that, according to ancestral wisdom, dwells in the depths of Amazonian ponds, whirlpools, and lakes. The Ronin Kené pattern symbolizes the spiritual and energetic resonance of rivers, lakes, and streams, reminding us that these waters are alive, imbued with thought, soul, and consciousness, each with a guardian or “mother,” as recognized by the mestizos of the Peruvian Amazon. It is said that Yacumama herself is adorned with intricate kené designs, embodying a near-sacred spiritual force that has inspired Shipibo artists for generations. Boas, too, bear these powerful patterns, marking them as creatures of deep emotional fiber and predatory grace.

Xao Kene

bone design

This geometric design, known as Xao Kene, features bold, elongated strokes that echo the strong, graceful lines of the Amazon’s largest fish, such as the Paiche and Gamitana. Inspired by the natural beauty and rhythms of the region’s pristine lakes and ancestral lands, these patterns reflect the essence of daily life within the Shipibo-Konibo territory.