This week we delve into indigenous design, investigating work created by native peoples around the world. Materiality, methodology, philosophy—all underlie the objects rooted in place, crafted by the original inhabitants of those landscapes.

Halo Pendant transports us to Brazil, where designer Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros of YANKATU researched Pataxó indigenous traditions. The luminaire adopts its circular shape from traditional feather headbands worn by Pataxó indigenous women.

Halo’s feathers have a story of their own: “The feathers’ flowers that adorn the Halo luminaire were handmade by Txahamehé Pataxó, a young woman whose name in the Patxohâ language means flower of love, nothing more appropriate for her, who creates beautiful flowers with chicken feathers that she collects from the village lands.”

Handmade with Cabreúva Wood, feathers, and steel cables, Halo Pendant hovers in the air like a planetary ring. Its feathers capture the possibility of flight. At the same time, those feathers harken back to the ground because chickens are flightless.

Part of the Sons of Earth Collection by YANKATU, Halo Pendant is available through Adorno. The luminaire comes with its own soul, a certificate of authenticity “in the form of a small book that tells about the inspiration that gave birth to it and leaves blank pages so that its story can continue to be told…”

YANKATU design studio collaborates with Brazilian artisans to create products that will inspire social impact.

For another textural wonder, see work by Fernando Laposse.