Crocodile leather is one of the most exclusive and expensive materials in the world. Valued for its rarity, durability, and unique textured beauty, it represents luxury and power in fashion, interiors, and accessories. From high-end handbags to designer shoes and car interiors, crocodile skin is a symbol of wealth and prestige. But behind this luxury lies a complex story of craftsmanship, conservation, and global trade. 1. What Is Crocodile Leather? Crocodile leather is made from the hide of crocodiles, large semi-aquatic reptiles found mainly in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, America, and Australia. Unlike regular cow h ide or sheep leather, crocodile skin has a distinctive pattern of scales that varies from one species to another. Each scale forms a unique natural “tile,” giving the leather its world-famous exotic appearance. The most commonly used species for leather production include: Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) – The most sought-after and expensive. Nile Cro...
The Cofán people, also spelled as A’i Cofán, are one of the oldest surviving indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest. Spread across the dense jungles of northeastern Ecuador and southeastern Colombia, the Cofán are known not just for their rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions, but also for their fierce and innovative environmental activism. Despite centuries of colonization, missionary conversion, oil exploitation, and political marginalization, the Cofán have remained resilient stewards of the rainforest they call home. Ancestral Roots and Lifestyle The Cofán are believed to have lived in the Amazon for thousands of years. Traditionally, they occupied a large swath of territory along the Aguarico, San Miguel, and Guamués Rivers, where the Amazon basin’s biodiversity flourishes in explosive abundance. Their name for themselves, A’i, means "people" in their language, reflecting a common self-identification shared by many indigenous cultures. The Cofán way of li...