about wayuu origins.
Welcome to Wayuu Origins. We are an organization that helps improve the lives of Latin American indigenous people while respecting their traditions, culture and beliefs.
We strongly believe in giving back to the indigenous Wayuu people. It is our mission to support these women, their families and the Wayuu people of Colombia by selling only genuine Wayuu products that are handmade by the female Wayuu artisans of La Guajira, Colombia.
Wayuu Origins supports the preservation of Wayuu culture by providing income to Wayuu artisans through this organization.
We are personally connected with the Wayuu tribes who hand make each bag and accessory, and make sure they are fairly paid for the products. The popularityof these bags is a great thing for these women who sustain their village's economy by hand making these pieces and selling them. They are a labor of love.
ABOUT THE WAYUU.
The Wayuu are known as the people of the sun, sand, and wind. They are located in the arid Guajira Peninsula in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela. The Wayuu are among the few Latin American ethnic groups that have been able to avoid European acculturation over the centuries. The Wayuu language is part of the Arawak family and is called Wayuunaiki.
Wayuu families are organized by clans. Unlike most societies, the mother is the leader and provider for the Wayuu family. Their presence in the household symbolizes respect and unity. Also, Wayuu children bear their mother’s last name.
wayuu crafts.
For the Wayuu people, the art of weaving is an expression of creativity, intelligence and wisdom. Weaving is an important part of the Wayuu culture and is a practice that has been passed down from one generation to the next. Many of the designs that are woven into each bag represent the natural elements that surround the Wayuu tribes and important symbols of the Wayuu culture, such as animals, the sun, plants, and the stars. Each bag or accessory is made by only one female tribe member; therefore, each design is one-of-a-kind. Weaving these crafts is arduous work. For example, it takes a female Wayuu artisan about 10 to 15 days to complete just one of the Wayuu bags. This represents an average of 40 - 50 work hours to complete a bag.
Do not withhold what is good from those who deserve it.
If it is within your power to give it, do it.
Proverbs 3:27
how wayuu origins helps the wayuu tribes.
Wayuu Origins makes a personal connection with each Wayuu tribe that we help. This includes personal trips to Colombia to meet the members of the tribes. These personal connections to the Wayuu leaders enable our organization to provides the best direct assistance to the tribes.
the story behind the cause.
While backpacking through South America, Jonathan Mohhebali, encountered the Wayuu (pronounced "Wah-You") people, an indigenous tribe inhabiting the protected desert land along the border of Colombia and Venezuela. After spending some time with the Wayuu people, Jonathan realized they wanted to share the beauty of the tribe's culture and tradition on a larger platform.Therefore, he created "Wayuu Origins" to communicate the significance and value of this beautiful culture to the world, while providing economic support for indigenous people.
