I wanted to answer a question a lot of you guys have asked me and it’s what are Wayuu bags really made out of.
As you’ll see on product descriptions, all my Wayuu bags are made of acrylic while other competitor’s websites state that their Wayuu bags are 100% cotton.
The misconception behind the material of Wayuu bags
So, what’s the reality? Are they made of cotton or are they made of acrylic?
I have faith that this is not the seller trying to deceive you, but more of a misconception.
You see, when you go to La Guajira, where these Wayuu bags are made, and you ask the artisans what these bags are made out of, they will tell you that they are made of algodon, which is cotton in Spanish. But what they mean when they say algodon what they mean is just that it is a fabric. For them algodon, or cotton is any type of fabric,
They don’t actually know if it’s polyester, if it’s acrylic, if it’s viscose, etc.
A Little History On The Materials Used To Make Wayuu Bags
Why NO Wayuu bag is made of cotton
A first sign that indicates that these bags are not cotton is how colorful these Wayuu bags are. They can be washed over and over and still maintain their bright hues.
If Wayuu bags were made out of cotton, they’d totally fade after a first wash.
But most importantly, I know for a fact that all Wayuu bags available for sale are made of acrylic because artisans buy their thread from only two companies.
Whether they buy in small or larger quantities, there are only two companies in La Guajira, the region where these bags are made; Hilos de Bogota and Miratex. These two companies only sell acrylic thread in the region of La Guajira.
(VIDEO) The Creative Process Behind Lombia’s Wayuu Bags
Before Wayuu bags were such a hot and popular item, artisans spooled their own thread from natural fibers, and used natural dyes which produced more earthy tones like browns and reds. But today, they have commercialized Wayuu bags and to save time and create these colorful bags, artisans have stopped making their thread and buy from the colors available.
All right, so I hope this answers your question to what Wayuu bags are really made out of. If you have any other question, please let me know in the comment box down below and I will be more than glad to answer your questions.