As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayúu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayúu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Cecilia's story with you. Cecilia is one of the most important Wayúu community leaders of the Guajira region and is working hard to revive traditional weaving techniques. MEET CECILIA Artisan Coordinator and Community Leader My name is Cecilia and I’m the leader of the Iwouyaa community. My role is to care not only for my community but my tribe and share the knowledge that my mother has passed down to me. I’m especially passionate about reviving the traditional style of weaving that many of our Wayúu indigenous artisans no longer practice and hope to start a museum containing all crochet styles from the past and present. I come from a line of respected weavers. As a matter of fact, my mother had the longest ‘encierro’ in all Wayuu history. She spent 7 years in confinement, during which she learned the most traditional and intricate weaving patterns. As a result of her extended period of ‘encierro’, she was one of the most respected Wayúu weavers in the whole Guajira region. It is her knowledge that has guided me in my work with Lombia today as an artisan coordinator. I am also the proud founder of one of the largest schools in our area. We started in my mother’s house with only two classrooms and now we have 24 classrooms, a gymnasium and a park for the children. Many of these children come from families who cannot even afford one proper meal a day. As a result, we also make sure all our students get daily lunch and a snack. It makes me glow with pride to see that many of these children have gone on to graduate and are now successful working professionals. My goal for this year is to continue supporting the children of our school and revive the art of my culture.

Let’s talk about menstruation. A pivotal moment in a girl’s life, when she transforms into a young woman, giving her the power to bear life. In Wayúu culture, the first menstruation of a girl is clearly marked by a period called the ‘encierro’ or confinement where she will acquire all the knowledge she will need to become a woman. During this time, the traditions of Wayúu culture and wisdom are passed down from mother to daughter, as women are seen to be the carriers of knowledge in their communities. This concept, known as ‘apüshi’, or maternal education, is used to teach girls to weave. Therefore, young Wayuu girls learn this art from their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and other women from their tribe. The objects they will learn to weave will represent the beauty and mysticism of Wayuu culture, represented in shapes and colors with which she will transmit her way of thinking, and her way of life. FIRST MENSTRUATION AND THE 'ENCIERRO' In order to learn the art of weaving and fully evolve into a carrier of wisdom and knowledge, young Wayúu girls must go through a long period of ‘encierro’ or confinement. This isolation can last as long as a thousand days after a girl's first menstruation. During this period of confinement, the girl must dedicate herself to learning the wisdom of Wayúu weaving and other cultural traditions that are important to the Wayúu tribe. This confinement requires the girl to adapt to a demanding teaching schedule and to a diet based on corn and pumpkin. Although it is initially considered as a celebratory event, the 'encierro' can become very challenging. Over time, and with the guidance and support of their elders, young girls will learn the knowledge of the Wale 'Kerü, the mythological spider who passed down the secrets of weaving to Wayuu women in the form of Kanaas or traditional patterns. What are Kanaas? Symbology in Wayuu Bags WEAVING DREAMS INTO BAGS During their confinement, it is essential that young girls first master the art of weaving hammocks with cotton yarn. A hammock in Wayuu culture is the most important item and is considered a status symbol in the community. The Wayúu will use them not only for sleeping, but also for working and social gatherings. Once they have mastered hammocks, they progress to weaving Wayuu bags, to which they apply the same ancestral knowledge and wisdom. EMERGING INTO WOMANHOOD After the time spent learning how to become a respected woman, wife and mother in her community, the girl finally emerges a woman. They will also become the source of knowledge to their daughters, nieces and granddaughters of the future. To celebrate the end of the young girl's rite of passage, her community holds a celebratory 'yonna' dance during which the girl is presented suitors to start this new chapter of her life. The Meaning Behind The Sacred Wayuu Ritual of “El Encierro” Thanks to the lessons learned and knowledge acquired during her ‘encierro’ she is equipped with the tools she'll need to help her face the trials of life throughout womanhood. Sources “Chinchorros, mochilas y encierro: historia de las Wayúu”, Artesanias de Colombia “El mito y el rito en los procesos identitarios femeninos en la cultura Wayuu” Carolina Jaimes et al

As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Aminta's story with you. Aminta is one of our most experienced artisans and has taught generations of women the craft of creating mochila bags in the Guajira region of Colombia. MEET AMINTA Indigenous Artisan My name is Aminta, and I’m one of the most experienced artisans of my community. I have channeled my years of wisdom and teachings accumulated from the women before me into my hand woven bags. It brings me great joy to share this art with you all. I have channeled my years of wisdom and teachings accumulated from the women before me into my hand woven bags I’m from the community of Cucurumana, which is located in the desert, rural plains of La Guajira. Here it’s beautiful and peaceful, and even though our conditions can be challenging due to the harsh climate, our community is lucky to have access to a clean water supply. I’ve been blessed to be the mother of 8 children, who have shown me love and support in my old age. With over 65 years of experience as an artisan, I am a highly respected member of my community With over 65 years of experience as an artisan, I am a highly respected member of my community who has had the honor of passing down my wisdom to other women. My goal for this year is to remain healthy and able so that I am able to continue creating mochilas and passing down the knowledge I’ve gained from my ancestors to the younger generations to keep our traditions alive long after I’ve left this earth.