Born in 1963 in San Francisco de Yarinacocha, Pucallpa, Agustina Valera is a highly respected master ceramicist from the Shipibo-Konibo indigenous community in the Ucayali region of Peru. Her journey in ceramics began at the age of 12, under the guidance of the elder women in her community and her family, many of whom were also skilled ceramicists.
Valera is the co-author of “Koshi shinanya ainbo: The Testimony of a Shipibo Woman” (2005), a book that shares her personal story while delving into the traditions, daily life, myths, gender dynamics, linguistic evolution, and social organization of the Shipibo people. Through her artistry and storytelling, she preserves and promotes the rich cultural heritage of her community, making her an important figure in indigenous art and cultural preservation.
