Wayuu Bags

Last weekend I went to a bag party at my friend's apartment. A small group of people journeyed here from La Guajira, an area of northern Colombia near the Venezuela border, to sell us the typical bags that are hand-made there.

All of the pretty bags for sale

The Wayuu are an indigenous group that throughout Colombia's history avoided being conquered by the Spanish. Most speak both Spanish and Wayunaiki and live on reservations. Interestingly, the Wayuu are a matriarchal society and children are given their mother's last name. In modern times, the Wayuu have faced multiple challenges, including poverty, displacement, and discrimination.

Each brightly-colored mochila (bag) is crocheted by a single woman, who needs about 20 days to complete it. The geometric figures on the bags usually represent elements found in nature, such as animals or the sun, or ancestral designs. These bags are worn all across Colombia and are quite popular among locals and tourists alike.

Here's mine!