The Wayuu make the unique Mochilas (bags). They are Colombia’s largest indigenous group, with more than 250,000 people divided into some thirty matriarchal clans who live in traditional rancherias – small, isolated communities in La Guajira, a desert peninsula in north-eastern Colombia.
The Wayuu are known for their beautiful Mochilas - 'Susu' in their own language. The art of making Mochilas is seen as a symbol of wisdom, intelligence, and creativity. Crocheting and weaving techniques are passed on from mother to daughter and play a key role in preserving the Wayuu traditions.
Did you know that it takes - depending on the technique used - anywhere from two weeks to a month to make such a beautiful, unique bag?
Women are in charge among the Wayuu
In the Wayuu community, women are in charge. They are the head of the family, and the children bear their mother's surname. The women are also leading in the Wayuu culture, in which the crocheting and weaving of Mochilas is one of the most important expressions. To keep the tradition alive, every Wayuu daughter learns to crochet and weave from her mother during puberty.
Unique colours and patterns
According to a Wayuu legend, the Mochila tradition comes from 'Wale'kerü', a spider who taught the women how to weave their creative drawings into the Mochilas. Each design of a Mochila is unique and tells a story in colours, patterns, and shapes. For the Wayuu people, the Mochilas have become a source of income that allows them to maintain their traditional way of life
