Indigenous Artisanship and E-Commerce

Founded in 2011, TUCUM promotes the art and traditional craft of native Amazonian populations as an important revenue source for local communities. Selling the merchandise online, the company creates strong business partnerships with cooperatives, producers, and artists while creating economically balanced relations and fostering ethics, legal compliance, and sustainability. TUCUM provides direct support, structuring handicraft supply chains in collaboration with associations, families, and especially women. The process celebrates diverse cultures and forms networks between traditional artisans and society. After nearly doubling revenue last year, the company is poised for growth. What will come next? How can other Amazonian communities participate? Can this success be replicated beyond Brazil? Join us to meet Amanda Santana, activist, curator, CEO, and creative director of TUCUM.

Recorded February 7, 2022

References:

An Entrepreneur’s Curatorship Supports Indigenous Financial Autonomy

Artisan Alliance

Creativity and the Arts: An Emerging Impact Investing Theme

Handicraft Market Mobilizes R$50 billion per year in Brazil

Brazil e-commerce to grow 31% in 2021 to US$35bn – Goldman Sachs

Ethnography on Handcraft Production in the Sustainable Development Nature Reserve Amana

How I created an online store for Amazonian handicrafts

Local Handicraft and Plant Fiber Entrepreneurship in the Brazilian Amazon

Handicraft Production by AVIVE as a Proposal for Sustainable Design

Handicraft and Employment Generation for the Poorest Youth and Women