About Wayuu Bags

Behind Every Mochila – The Legacy of Wayuu Women

Each mochila is a testament to the artistry, resilience, and cultural memory of the Wayuu women, Indigenous artisans from the northern region of Colombia, specifically the La Guajira desert.

According to Wayuu oral tradition, it was Wale’kerü, a wise and mystical spider, who taught the Wayuu women how to weave. With patience and grace, Wale’kerü passed down the sacred knowledge of patterns and threads — not just as a skill, but as a form of storytelling, identity, and spiritual connection. To this day, the intricate geometric designs found in each mochila reflect this ancestral wisdom, carrying meanings known and shared within the community.

Every mochila is entirely handmade, and creating one can take at least 20 days. Often, it is the result of collaboration among several women, each contributing her expertise — from crocheting the base to weaving the strap, to tying and finishing the bag with intention and pride.

These bags are more than accessories — they are living expressions of identity, shaped by tradition and passed down through generations. Woven in a context often marked by social and economic adversity, every thread reflects the strength, dignity, and creative power of Wayuu women, who continue to preserve their heritage with pride and resilience.

When you choose a mochila, you are not only investing in exceptional craftsmanship — you are honoring the women behind it: their time, their stories, and their unwavering commitment to keeping their culture alive, thread by thread.