Sumak Essentials

Country: United States

Tribal affiliation(s): Abay yala/ Incan/ Ecuadorian

Items sold: Jewelry, Home Goods, Textiles

How to purchase:

Website: https://givebutter.com/CqeKdw

Instagram: @sumak_essentials

Bio:

Sumak Essentials believes that buying Palo Santo from a sustainable source is crucial to preserving the delicate ecosystems where this sacred tree grows, primarily in South America. Unsustainable harvesting practices, including illegal logging and overharvesting, threaten the natural regeneration of Palo Santo forests, leading to habitat loss for countless plant and animal species. Sustainable sourcing ensures that only naturally fallen branches are used, allowing the trees to grow and reproduce naturally. This practice supports reforestation efforts, protects biodiversity, and provides ethical economic opportunities for local communities who depend on Palo Santo for their livelihoods. By choosing responsibly sourced Palo Santo, consumers help combat deforestation, promote environmental conservation, and maintain the spiritual and cultural traditions connected to this precious resource.

Andrea Cristina Londy-Mejía is a multidisciplinary artist, artisan, and early childhood educator from the Abya Yala territory, Kichwa, Ecuador. She has lived in the United States for 13 years, carrying her cultural lineage into every aspect of her creative and educational work.
She is the creator and founder of Sumak Essentials, a project dedicated to honoring Indigenous artisans and preserving the stories, history, and cultural essence behind each handmade piece—especially in an era defined by mass production. Andrea also crafts her own line of personal care products made with palo santo oil and natural ingredients, weaving ancestral knowledge into modern daily rituals. Through her art, teaching, and entrepreneurship, she works to uplift Indigenous creativity and keep cultural memory alive.