Jurui, Cashew Beyond Nut and Shell: Weaving Material Relations Across People, Place, and Culture.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46516/inmaterial.v10.323Keywords:
cashew, relational materiality, participatory design, sustainable value chains, material-driven innovationAbstract
This article investigates the cashew nut and its by-products not merely as agricultural resources but as active materials whose relational properties influence both human practices and ecological systems in the Vichada region of Colombia. Employing a material-centred and participatory design methodology that integrates co-design with local communities, laboratory experimentation, and field testing, the project examines the transformation of cashew shells and cashew nutshell liquid into viable materials for sustainable development. The study identifies new applications such as natural coatings, material composites, ergonomic packaging tools, and safety processing machinery, that enhance local processing practices while fostering economic resilience. By situating design as a relational practice that connects material, territory, and culture, this work advances a model of innovation grounded in local knowledge and ecological interdependence.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Camilo Ayala-Garcia, Clara Forero Lesmes, Santiago De Francisco Vela, Alejandro Marañón León, Camilo Hernández Acevedo
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