THE ASHANINKA PEOPLE

The Ashaninka people

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The Ashaninka are an Indigenous people living in the Amazon region, spanning the border between Peru and Brazil. Their name comes from the words for 'my relatives' or 'my people'. They have inhabited the Central Peruvian rainforest for at least 5,000 years. 

Those on the Peruvian side first came into contact with Spanish invaders at the end of the 16th century, whereas those on the Brazilian side remained largely isolated until the end of the 19th century, when the search for rubber, a native Amazonian species, brought waves of outsiders into the forest. Fiercely protective of their lands, freedom and autonomy, the Ashaninka have long resisted illegal logging and deforestation.

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The Ashaninka way of life embraces a respectful and balanced relationship with nature, seeing themselves as an integral part of it. This perspective underpins their commitment to biodiversity and cultural heritage, as well as fighting climate change. Ashaninka visual culture – grounded in spiritual meaning, skilled craftsmanship and environmental care – has resonated beyond the forest, influencing fashion figures such as Dame Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler. 

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Rather than a source to be borrowed from, Ashaninka culture invites the fashion industry to rethink its values and practices, pointing towards more respectful, reciprocal, and regenerative ways of creating – where everyone benefits, and where the environment is protected.