Your chosen accessories say a lot about your personality, style, and even your values. When it comes to the iconic Wayuu bag, each unique design and intricate pattern carries its own story, making a bold statement where ever you take it. So, what does your Wayuu bag say about you? Let's explore your style and personality through the Wayuu bag you wear! 1. You Are Not Afraid to Shine If your Wayuu bag features bright colors and bold patterns, chances are you're an outgoing and adventurous soul. You're not afraid to stand out from the crowd and express yourself with confidence. Your Wayuu bag is more than just an accessory; it's a reflection of your vibrant personality and zest for life. 2. You Prefer Quality of Quantity On the other hand, if your Wayuu bag boasts more subdued tones and classic designs, you likely appreciate timeless elegance and sophistication. You have a refined taste and prefer quality craftsmanship over fleeting trends. Your Wayuu bag exudes understated beauty and speaks volumes about your timeless style. 3. You Are An Artist At Heart For those who gravitate towards Wayuu bags with intricate weaves and detailed motifs, your bag is a canvas for artistic expression. You have a keen eye for beauty and craftsmanship, and you're drawn to pieces that tell a story. Your Wayuu bag is not just an accessory; it's a work of art that reflects your appreciation for creativity and culture. 4. You Beat To Your Own Rythm If your Wayuu bag features fringe, tassels, or embellishments, you likely have a bohemian spirit and a free-spirited attitude towards life. You're drawn to eclectic and unconventional styles that reflect your carefree nature. Your Wayuu bag is a symbol of your adventurous spirit and love for all things eclectic and unique. 5. You Are A Citizen Of The World Wayuu bags are not just accessories; they're cultural treasures that represent the rich heritage of the Wayuu people of Colombia and Venezuela. If you're drawn to Wayuu bags and embrace them as part of your wardrobe, you likely have a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. Your Wayuu bag is a symbol of your global outlook and commitment to cultural diversity. 6. You Care About The World As conscious consumerism becomes increasingly important, more people are turning to ethically sourced and handmade products like Wayuu bags. If you choose to support artisans by purchasing Wayuu bags, you're likely an ethical fashionista who values sustainability and fair trade practices. Your Wayuu bag is a testament to your commitment to making a positive impact through your purchasing choices. 7. You Love To Travel Wayuu bags are often associated with wanderlust and adventure, making them the perfect companion for globetrotters and travel enthusiasts. If you always have your Wayuu bag packed and ready to go, you're likely a travel lover who embraces new experiences and cultures. Your Wayuu bag is more than just a travel accessory; it's a symbol of your passion for exploration and discovery. 8. You Support Women Wayuu bags go beyond being simple accessories; they're symbols of community and collaboration. If you're involved in initiatives that support women or promote sustainable fashion practices, you're likely a community-minded individual who values giving back. Your Wayuu bag is a symbol of your commitment to making a positive difference in the world. 9. Fashion is Your Playground Wayuu bags may be steeped in tradition, but they're also a favorite among fashionistas and trendsetters. If you're always ahead of the curve when it comes to fashion trends and love to experiment with different styles, your Wayuu bag is likely a key accessory in your wardrobe. Your Wayuu bag is a reflection of your fashion-forward mindset and willingness to push the boundaries of style. 10. You Like To Stand Out Ultimately, what your Wayuu bag says about you is as unique as you are. Whether you're drawn to bold colors, classic designs, or intricate weaves, your Wayuu bag is a reflection of your individuality, style, and values. So, embrace your unique sense of style and let your Wayuu bag speak volumes about who you are and what you stand for. In conclusion, your Wayuu bag is more than just an accessory; it's a reflection of your personality, values, and unique sense of style. Whether you're drawn to vibrant colors, classic designs, or intricate weaves, your Wayuu bag tells a story that's as unique as you are. So, wear it proudly and let your Wayuu bag speak volumes about who you are and what you stand for!

There are around 102 different indigenous communities in Colombia, and each group has its own language, customs and traditions. The Wayúu people are one of the most important of these communities, not just because they represent 20% of Colombia’s indigenous population, but also because they have been able to use the art of weaving to spread love and appreciation for their magical culture around the world. To keep spreading this appreciation for Wayúu culture, here are some curious facts about the Wayúu people that you may not know: 1. Dreams are as important as reality The world of dreams in Wayúu culture is considered to be equally important as conscious reality, and whilst the Wayúu are dreaming, the deity of sleep, ‘lapü’ visits them to transmit important messages about the meaning of life. Dreaming is also used by the Wayúu people to detect illnesses within their communities and search for answers to life’s challenges. 2. Living beings consist of 3 parts Wayúu mysticism sees each living being as consisting of three components: the body, the soul and the bones. When a person leaves the universe of the living, they must be buried twice as the Wayuu believe this allows the creators of the universe to turn their remains into rain. Transforming into rain allows them to return to the universe of the living and help cultivate new life. 3. Maternal knowledge is highly respected The Wayúu people use the concept of ‘apüshii’ to express the act of female elders passing down knowledge to young girls in their community. Mothers, aunts, grandmothers and community members who engage in this practice are also referred to as the ‘apüshii’. What are Kanaas? Symbology in Wayuu Bags 4. Spirits hold powers of life and death Within the Wayúu community, the spirits of people who have passed are considered to be sacred and are referred to as ‘pülasü’. These spirits are believed to hold great powers of both life and death, of health and sickness. The ‘pülasü’ can be contacted through dreams where both the universe of the living and the dead collide. 5. Wayuú people speak Wayuunaiki The native language of Wayúu people is called Wayuunaiki although approximately 32% of the population also speak Spanish. For the Wayúu community, maintaining their language is of extreme importance as it allows them to express their unique reality in a more descriptive way. Within their community and at home, they always speak to each other in Wayuunaiki and they only use Spanish to interact with people from outside their tribe. 6. The Wayuú tribe is a matriarchal tribe The Wayúu community has a matriarchal culture. This is not only because the majority of Wayúu women are the main economic providers but also because the women are the carriers of ancestral knowledge. Very few men learn to weave as this task is passed down to women during the ‘encierro’ or rite of passage into womanhood. As a result, women tend to have more financial power thanks to the income earned through their art. 7. Souls can come back to haunt a community It is said that sometimes the spirit of the recently passed can have difficulty reaching the universe of the sacred if they don’t pass peacefully. These souls are referred to as ‘yoluja’ and can return to the universe of the living to steal souls at night. In order to deter the ‘yoluja’, Wayúu women will bathe their children in tobacco, helping to deter the evil spirits from harming their little ones. Meet Guillermina: "I am passionate and proud of my craft" 8. Wayúu people have their own territory Wayuu people govern their own autonomous territory that extends over the north-east of Colombia and the north-west of Venezuela. However, as their loyalties lie with their community, they don’t consider themselves as Colombian or Venezuelan, but simply as Wayúu. Many Wayúu people have family in both Colombia and Venezuela and it is normal for them to cross the border on a daily basis. 9. Their souls wander whilst they sleep For the Wayúu people, when they are in a state of sleep known as ‘alapüjawaa’, their soul will wander in order to search for the meaning of life. But they must be careful because if the soul wanders for too long, this can cause illness and it is thought that if a person in their sleep wanders past the realm of illness, they will enter the realm of death. This will cause their soul to forever wander, unable to get back to the universe of the living. 10. Plants are respected living things The Wayúu people distinguish material things from things that possess ‘energy of life’. According to their mythology, not only do humans possess ‘energy of life’ but plants and animals as well. This means that they also possess the energy of death, and must be respected due to the power they hold to influence the health of other living beings around them. 11. Young girls weave hammocks first When young Wayuu girls begin learning how to weave starting their first menstruation, they usually learn to weave ‘chinchorros‘ or traditional hammocks, even before they learn how to make mochila bags. The reason for this is that ‘chinchorros‘ are considered highly spiritual and important items in Wayúu culture as they are used for working, socializing and most importantly dreaming, allowing them to reach another realm. The Meaning Behind The Sacred Wayuu Ritual of “El Encierro” 12. Speaking about dreams is important One of the most important aspects of Wayúu culture is to speak about dreams. As dreams transmit messages from the spiritual universe to the living universe, many Wayúu people begin their day asking ‘jamaya pü’lapüin?’, or ‘how was your dream?’ as a greeting. Understanding the mystic universe of the Wayuu people helps us to see the world through a new set of eyes. We all search for answers to the unknown, and the Wayúu’s dream world and respect for the ‘energy of life’ is a beautiful answer to that for which we have no explanation. In each and every Wayuu bag, we hope to transmit this magical energy to you and to transport you to a place where dreams reign infinitely. Sources “Make Dreams” A Wayuu Perspective, Carmen Laura Paz Reverol “El Pueblo Wayuu”, Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia “Los Wayuu”, Ministerio de Minería y Energía de Colombia

Today, Wayuu bags have become a popular item with fun geometrics lines and colorful animals and flowers. But traditionally, Wayuu bags were crocheted depicting kanaas, or symbolical drawings native to the Wayuu culture. Kanaas found in Wayuu bags represent the day-to-day of the Wayuu life. It is what they know and have always known. These kanaas were passed down from generation to generation since pre-Columbian times. Kanaas allude to animals, symbology and objects present in the daily life of the Wayuu community. The Wayuu people extract the essence of their land and daily life by simplifying and abstracting their shapes and translating them into the magical art of Wayuu bags. Therefore, the meaning behind a drawing is more important than its appearance. Because these kanaas, or drawings are not an accurate representation of reality, but part of the Wayuu’s magical realism. As a result, kanaas are the ultimate expression and proud representation of Wayuu culture. This ancient art form, most likely originating from the Alta Guajira, consists in crocheting beautiful and stylized geometric figures, which represent elements of the natural environment that surrounds the daily life of the Wayuu. As kanaas take on geometric shapes, a colorful range of colors bring the composition of straight lines to life. Generally, kanaas are repeated along a fabric, each repetition amplifying its meaning. Discover Waleker: the mythical spider behind the art of crochet Some kanaas can be more complex to crochet than others and so, the more complex the figures, the greater value a piece acquires. Thanks to the language of kanaas, textile confection for the Wayuu community not only fulfills a utilitarian role, but becomes a genuine manifestation of their conception of the world. Kanaas can be seen across different types of Wayuu textiles including Wayuu bags, hammocks, backpacks and more. Below, you’ll find some of the most popular Kanaas and what they represent: Jalianaya: The mother of all Kanaas Saiaatpanaa: Rabbit’s teeth Suitkarayaa Kanaas: The start of a Kanaa Rulumaya: a Termite Shichirujuna paa: Cows’ nose Jañuleky: A fly’s head Walenaya: The trace of a walena (a kitchen utensil) Iwouya: The star pattern that announces the arrival of the rains Jime´uya: Eye of a fish Kuliichiya: The shape formed on the roof of house Antajirasu: All that which intersects Siwottouya: The footprint left by a horse Pa´ralouas: All that which is on top on each other Maruliunaya: The trace of a kitchen utensil Molokonoutaya: The shell of the Morrocoy turtle Pulikeruuya: The vagina of a donkey Kalepsu: A wooden hanger used to hang objects from the ceiling Ule`sia: Clean