Origin of Manduru and Wituk

The narrative cycle of the sisters Manduru and Wituk is central to the creation story of Achuar, Shiwiar, Shuar and Kichwa speaking people south of the Rio Napo in Eastern Ecuador. A series of loosely related stories narrate the sexual experiences of these two human sisters who move from one man to another until they eventually mature and become plants. The red woman, Manduru (below left) becomes Bixis orellana (left) and her sister Black woman or Wituk (below right) becomes Genipa americana. These are two of the plants with greatest cultural significance to Amazonian communities. Bixis orellana is the source of a red paste or dye that is used as body paint. It is symbolic of blood and used in many ceremonies. Genipa americana is the source of a black dye that is also used as body paint and has many ceremonial uses. After becoming trees these women create the animals we know today by painting their human children in various shades and patterns of red and black. In some way, the red and black paints are believed to contain the beautiful qualities of these women.