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.

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 Alejandrina's story with you. Alejandrina is a widow and single mother who is building a bright future for herself and her daughter. MEET ALEJANDRINA Indigenous Artisan Here in the Cucurumana community, it’s so peaceful that you can hear the wind whistling as it brushes against the trees. Our community has had to overcome many difficulties in the past few years, but we have definitely emerged stronger and more united than before. Our community has had to overcome many difficulties in the past few years, but we have definitely emerged stronger I’m a widow and a single mother of a beautiful young girl who I’ve been able to support with my earnings from Lombia, and now that she is old enough, I can’t wait to pass down to her all the knowledge and wisdom that my mother taught me. Most importantly, I want her to have choices that I didn’t have so she can choose her own path in life. I want my daughter to have choices that I didn’t have so she can choose her own path in life My goals for this year are to continue to be able to pay for my daughter’s education without having to worry, so that she can have a bright future, and so that she’ll always carry the Wayuu magic within her, whatever she may choose to do.

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 Rosa's story with you. Rosa is a young woman who used to dream of being a policewoman before she discovered her love for crafting Wayuu bags. MEET ROSA Indigenous Artisan and Coordinator Although I’ve always loved weaving, I wanted to become a policewoman a few years back. There’s not a lot of options in the region of La Guajira, and I felt it was a job that could provide me with financial stability. I had to take an exam to pass the police test that cost a considerable amount of money. As I didn’t have enough, I got a private loan at a 10% monthly interest rate I was never able to pay back. I’ve learnt that it’s possible to earn a stable income from doing what I love the most - making Wayuu mochilas In the end, I didn’t pass the test and still had to pay back the money loaned. Lombia took on my debt at 0% interest which I was able to pay back in less than a year. Since then, I’ve also learnt that it’s possible to earn a stable income from doing what I love the most - making Wayuu mochilas that spread beauty around the world. Here in the Ranchería Cucurumana, our community is like a family, and luckily I’m able to support many others with my earnings. My goals for this year are to finish building the shared bathroom for our community My goals for this year are to finish building the shared bathroom for our community so that we no longer have to make long trips to the mountains, and to begin saving up to start a family in the next few years.

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 Leane's story with you. Leane is a weaver in training and is one of the most talented weavers in her community at only 12 years old. MEET LEANE Weaver in training My name is Leane, and although I am only 12 years old, I have been diligently working on my crocheting skills since I was a little girl. My Wayuu bags are so well woven, they are mistaken for the work of more experienced artisans in my community. When I grow up, I want to become a doctor to help others here that don’t have access to medical care When I grow up, I want to become a doctor to help others here that don’t have access to medical care. Outside of school, when I’m not studying, I like to sit in a hammock with the women of my community and crochet My main goal is to use my talent to support my mom and my younger siblings I may be considered the most talented weavers within my community, but my main goal is to use my talent to support my mom and my younger siblings, trying to understand how I can contribute more.

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 Leyda's story with you. Leyda is a young mother to 6 children, who is from the magical village of Camarones, in the Guajira region of Colombia. MEET LEYDA Indigenous Artisan When my mother brought me into this world 30 years ago in the coastal village of Camarones, I knew that I had arrived in a very mystical place, unlike anywhere else on this planet. Camarones borders one of the largest natural freshwater habitats of pink flamingos in the world, and watching the colors of the water change under the sun as the lake meets the sea is spellbinding. Like many Wayuu women, I learnt to create magic with my hands as a child I’ve been collaborating with Lombia for the past two years, but like many Wayuu women, I learnt to create magic with my hands as a child. I have 6 little ones, and my main wish is to provide them with better opportunities with the stable income I’m receiving through Lombia. I have 6 little ones, and my main wish is to provide them with better opportunities with the stable income I’m receiving through Lombia My goals for this year is to continue creating hand woven Wayuu bags for you all and to continue watching my children grow up as they also learn about the art of weaving.

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 Sarnelis' story with you. Sarnelis is a young mother who works hard to provide for her children whilst creating magical Wayuu bags in the Guajira region of Colombia. SARNELIS Indigenous Artisan Hola! My name is Sarnelis and I am 29 years old. I have 5 beautiful children that I care for whilst working on creating Wayuu bags. I feel I represent the majority of Wayuu women as many are young mothers and the main (if not only) financial providers for their families. I’m a dedicated and responsible craftswoman who loves sharing my art with you all. I’m a dedicated and responsible craftswoman who loves sharing my art with you all. In fact, committing my time to creating art pieces of the highest quality for Lombia fills me with joy and pride, which I hope comes across for you in my bags. My goals this year are to continue working hard to give my little ones the best conditions possible. My goals this year are to continue working hard to give my little ones the best conditions possible and to keep making bags that transmit the warmth of my land to your hearts.

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.