Love in the Wayúu community comes in many different forms, and it can be very different from how we perceive love compared to other parts of the world.
The meaning of love for the Wayúu goes beyond romantic love, and extends to family love, love for one’s craft, and love for all living things. It is a magical feeling that is a source of joy for the Wayúu people, and it is considered to be one of the fundamental values of their community alongside solidarity, responsibility and respect.
Because love in many of its forms is a universal feeling, we wanted to share some facts about the meaning of love in the Wayúu community that you didn’t know before.
1. The Wayúu universe was born from love
According to Wayúu mythology, the universe started to form after the rain, a masculine spirit, fell upon the earth, a feminine spirit, and they fell in love. They were so infatuated with each other that they had many children in the form of trees, and this was the beginning of the world we know today.
2. There is no word in Wayuunaiki for ‘love’
There is no specific word in the Wayúu language Wayuunaiki to say ‘love’, however when Wayúu people want to express their affection and love for someone, they use phrases of affirmation. Some common phrases are ‘aishtapura pya’ which means ‘I like you a lot’, or ‘anas mai’, which means ‘you are the most beautiful thing’.
3. Dowry before marriage is still common
For many Wayúu people, it is still important for the family of the son to pay a dowry as a sign of appreciation for the bride-to-be and to mark their status. Dowries in the Wayúu community mostly consist of necklaces, animals such as goats, donkeys and cows, and highly-valued woven items like ‘chinchorros’ or hammocks.
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4. Mediators play an important role in marriage
Whether two Wayúu people decide for themselves or their families decide that they are a good match, it is important that the community mediator or the ‘palabrero’ ensures that things are done properly.
The mediator, who is the most important person for resolving any issues or disputes between individuals and families, will ensure that the dowry provided to the woman’s family is sufficient. If the woman’s family has an issue, the mediator will attempt to negotiate between the parties involved in a balanced and impartial manner.
5. Female solidarity above all else
The spiritual bond between mother and daughter, and women in general is very important for the Wayúu people. According to the concept of ‘apüshi’ or maternal wisdom, women must pass down ancestral knowledge and wisdom to the younger female generations with love and guidance.
These bonds are considered superior to all others due to the spiritual importance women have in the Wayúu tribe.
6. Nature is respected and cherished
Wayúu people believe that nature possesses both ‘energy of life’ and ‘energy of death’, just like human beings and animals. Everything that possesses this must be loved and respected because if it is not, it could retaliate in a negative way with its ‘energy of death’, causing community members to become unwell.
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7. Wayúu women weave with love
Wayúu women take a long time to weave mochila bags. The average single thread bag can take up to a month to complete whilst a double thread bag can take up to 10 days, not counting the time it takes to make the finishings such as the straps, ties and tassels.
Wayúu women put a lot of love and care into their craft as they see every mochila bag as a reflection of their heritage, meant to be shared with the world.
8. Polygamy is alive and well
In the Wayúu community, polygamy is considered a status symbol that provides prestige for Wayuu men wealthy enough to possess multiple wives. Unfortunately, women are not permitted to take on multiple husbands. The concept is not very common but still allowed.
The Wayúu’s perception of love, although different from the Western point of view, sheds light on concepts we can all take from. In the Wayúu community, it is a feeling that encompasses more than just marriage and romance.
Female solidarity, family love, and love for their art are just a few examples of what it means to love for the Wayúu people.