In southern Colombia, Pasto Varnish is a living heritage practice that involves producing resin from the buds of the local mopa-mopa tree to create decorative wooden finishes. However, by 2020, only 10 harvesters, 11 wood masters, and 36 varnish artisans remained. To revitalize this tradition, the Mundo Espiral Foundation, supported by the Ministry of Culture, launched an apprenticeship programme that trained 55 new artisans. This initiative not only increased the number of practitioners, but also fostered social dialogue and promoted gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated field. The apprenticeship programme was complemented by exhibitions, films, and publications to raise awareness of Pasto Varnish’s cultural significance.
© Ministry of Culture and Mundo Espiral Foundation, 2023
What was the need?
The limited transmission of knowledge among aging practitioners of Pasto Varnish stemmed from several key challenges. First, the difficult conditions of harvesting mopa-mopa buds in the Amazon jungle of southern Colombia discouraged younger generations from entering the trade, threatening the entire ecosystem of Pasto Varnish production. Additionally, many masters operated from home-based workshops under precarious conditions, lacking proper facilities and relying on borrowed tools, which compromised the quality of their craft. Furthermore, the production chain suffered from a lack of awareness, leading to inadequate recognition and compensation for practitioners. Inadequate social organization hindered the practitioners’ ability to price their products fairly and establish a guild, resulting in unhealthy competition and obstructing the development of integrated production processes.
‘It’s been great to share our work with others and teach them what we do, keeping the tradition of wooden lathe alive.’
Jorge Chaves, wood master, about the apprenticeship programme
© Ministry of Culture and Mundo Espiral Foundation, 2023
What approaches were implemented?
The Mundo Espiral Foundation collaborated with the Pasto Varnish Cultural Foundation and government agencies to develop a special safeguarding plan for Pasto Varnish. The plan included measures to secure sustainable access to raw materials, improve workshop conditions, and document traditional crafting techniques. The Mundo Espiral Foundation launched a call for new apprentices, selecting 55 individuals (of which 31 were women) and developed a 100-hour learning-by-doing methodology, in consultation with experienced mopa-mopa harvesters, wood masters and varnishers. Each master chose an apprentice based on mutual affinities and trust, and shared with them the techniques of harvesting mopa-mopa buds, treating wood and decorating with varnish. Together, they established the pace and schedule of the learning-by-doing process, tailored to the specificity of each trade.
The results of the apprenticeship programme were exhibited during a Cultural Heritage Week in the city of Pasto, in September 2023. Other awareness-raising activities included roundtables and the establishment of a network of practitioners. Additionally, strategic alliances were formed with organizations like the Pasto Mayor’s Office and Artesanías de Colombia, a government-funded entity that helps communities to market their heritage crafts effectively. Artesanías de Colombia has supported capacity-building for Pasto Varnish artisans, offering business training and creating marketing opportunities. These efforts have elevated the status of practitioners as skilled artisans, enabling them to earn a sustainable livelihood from their craft. As a result, there is now renewed interest among youth in learning these traditional techniques.
This process was supported by International Assistance from the 2003 Convention’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund (2022-2024).
‘From the very first day of the programme, I felt so lucky. They made me feel like part of the family and generously shared their knowledge and wisdom, planting a love for varnish in my heart.’
Carolina Medina, varnish apprentice
© Ministry of Culture and Mundo Espiral Foundation, 2023
How did it work?
This experience has built lasting capacity within the wood workers and varnish workshops, as well as in the harvest groups. The positive impact has prompted several families to independently begin teaching new apprentices at all stages of Pasto Varnish production, creating additional income sources and strengthening the dissemination and recognition of their craft. Additionally, new phases of the apprenticeship programme were launched with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Colombia.
© Ministry of Culture and Mundo Espiral Foundation, 2023
How was the community involved?
The coordinating NGO ensured that all decisions were made collaboratively with practitioners, ensuring their involvement at every stage, from outreach and experiential learning to meetings, exhibitions, and monitoring of the apprenticeship programme. The development of the short video documentary and publication (see below) was conducted in partnership with apprentices, fostering a collaborative research process that respected their insights and expertise. A high level of trust among masters and apprentices was achieved, facilitating an open exchange of experiences and a nurturing environment where concerns or suggestions could be voiced and addressed.
Contacts for sharing experience
NGO Mundo Espiral Foundation
Calle 10 Número 32 – 16, City of Pasto, Department of Nariño, Colombia
Languages for contact: Spanish and English
(+57) 3188021956
fundacionmundoespiral@gmail.com
To learn more
- Videos about this experience
- Book ‘Pasto Varnish mopa-mopa, a big family’
Download publication: English/Spanish
Other links
- Between the Amazon and the Andes: safeguarding and transmission of the Traditional knowledge and techniques associated with Pasto Varnish mopa-mopa of the Putumayo and Nariño departments of Colombia
- Traditional knowledge and techniques associated with Pasto Varnish mopa-mopa of Putumayo and Nariño
- Fundacion Mundo Espiral