Wayuu Colombian indigenous people reported industrial productions of their Wayuu colombia bags being reproduced in Medellin. It was said that machines were producing up to 500 Colombian mochilas in the single day and sold at a much lower price then the original Colombian wayuu bags.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This was a catastrophe in the eyes of the indigenous Colombian as the wayuu bags are part of the cultural heritage of the indigenous knowledge of la Guajra.
They considered this unfair competition because it created confusion to the public at the time of trading and selling. Wayuu handbags have become wellknown across America and Europe due to its bright colors, unique designs and quality.
The Wayuu women complained about the industrial production as not only did large quantities of lower quality wayuu bags and fake wayuu bags lower the commercial value, but they also harmed the cultural practice of the Wayuu people.
Crocheting mochila bags is not just a commercial practice but also a cultural tradition passed down from generation to generation. It is an art that transitions from woman to woman and is taught from an early age and perfected throughout the adulthood.
The geometric shapes and wayuu patterns in the bags are illustrations of elements found in the universe as well as everday objects including plants and animals. Mochila bag patterns represent the surroundings of the Wayuu people.
Although most buyers do not understand the richness and complexity of wayuu patterns, they immediately fall in love with the mochila bags’ colorful designs. This lack of understanding makes it easy for producers of comercial Wayuu Colombian bags to profit from an art of which the Wayuu people have lived off of for over a hundred years.
Although I personally have never seen a fake Wayuu bag, be careful and be sure to buy from a reputable seller!