TAGUA NUT CARVINGS FROM ECUADOR

Located in the northwest portion of Ecuador, a unique venture began called the Tagua Initiative was formed. This began in 1990 by Conservation International as a means of creating economic incentives associated with the tagua palm nut, trying to find a way for the harvests to be sustained. Because of this initiative, today we see almost 2,000 people belonging to the Comuna Rio Santiago-Cayapas, holding down jobs. However, these jobs depend on the rainforest being left unharmed, allowing the tagua nut to continue growing.

The tagua plant is somewhat like a palm tree that produces a nut. When this nut is young it tender, being filled with a liquid that the people living in the rainforest drink. However, as the tagua nut matures, it becomes very hard at which time it falls from the tree. Once on the ground, the people harvest it to create amazing things. Interesting, the nuts that are not used for carving are created into "bricks" used as a fuel source because of the high heat production.

The tagua plant must grow for about 20 years before it starts to produce fruit. Even so, the nuts are not good for harvesting for five to eight years after fruit is produced. Therefore, it is not a plant that could be profitable but its nuts are. The root system of this plant has a 98% survival rate if burned. Therefore, even if there were to be a horrendous fire, the tree would be rained on and continue to grow. Because the tree produces such a versatile nut, by purchasing things made from the tagua, the rainforest is being protected.

Although the tagua plant can be found in other places, Ecuador is just one of a few countries where you can find it. Because the tagua nut is hard and resistant, while still being beautiful, it is considered a prized possession, often used in the making of precious jewelry. Other things the tagua nut is used for include chess set pieces, figurines, key chains, buttons, and much more.

Prior to plastic buttons being introduced in the United States, approximately 20% were actually made from the tagua nut. In fact, during the 1920's, $5 million annually was brought into Ecuador for the exportation of the tagua buttons. These buttons, along with the other type of tagua carvings are often called vegetable ivory because of the color and texture. Since animal ivory is on the decline, the tagua nuts have been considered a great substitute without anything being harmed.

Sadly, much of the rainforest area in this part of the world has been destroyed. However, this Comuna sits by the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, which is a very diverse area and one that is protected. This is an important hotspot since today, less than 1% of the earth is covered by rainforest hotspots yet it contains as much as 40% of biodiversity. Therefore, the Ecological Reserve protects this area so that workers can continue making their tagua nut carvings.