Rooted in the Urucuia Grande Sertão Veredas region of Minas Gerais, Central Veredas is a network of around 200 women dedicated to artisanal crafts, including spinning, weaving, natural dyeing, buriti fibre carving, and embroidery. They produce throws, scarves, cushion covers, embroidered buriti boxes, clothing, and decorative pieces. Elder women preserve traditional spinning and weaving techniques, while younger women contribute their embroidery skills. The artisans’ husbands cultivate cotton with environmentally-friendly methods. Pente liço looms—traditional rigid heddle looms—are used. They are portable and equipped with slots to separate and organise the warp threads for weaving. Embroidery is inspired by the vibrant fauna and flora of the Cerrado, reflecting the artisans’ deep connection to their environment.
Committed to ecological preservation, Central Veredas uses responsibly cultivated buriti fibres and cotton, ensuring each step aligns with sustainable practices. The Sustainable Cotton initiative revitalised organic cotton farming, reversing damage caused by industrial agriculture. Complementing this, the project called Colours of the Cerrado uses leaves, bark, and natural vegetation to create eco-friendly dyes. In 2021, Central Veredas was selected for the Selvedge World Fair, and was recognised for its dedication to preserving artisanal traditions and its profound connection to the Cerrado biome.
Central Veredas
