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Welcome, you are in Marca País
Wayúu backpacks: weavings, types and symbols of Colombia's ancestral culture
Wayúu backpacks are a vibrant expression of the Wayúu community's identity and tradition. Their weaving and meaning reflect the ancestral and cultural richness of Colombia. Learn more in this article.
Wayúu backpacks are a testament to resilience and creativity that reflect Colombia’s cultural richness. Woven by the hands of the Wayúu communities in the La Guajira region, each one embodies the ancestral tradition handed down from generation to generation. The detailed crafting process results in a unique product, full of color, meaning, and symbolism.
Each bag carries centuries of tradition, reflecting the stories and identity of its people through fascinating designs. Woven using various techniques, these bags vary in shape, size, and color, making them one-of-a-kind pieces. Discover the different types of handmade Wayúu backpacks, how they are made, and the profound meaning this practice holds within the Wayúu community.
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What does weaving mean to the Wayúu people?
Although the Wayúu people engage in herding, hunting, and fishing, the tradition of textile design is extremely important and meaningful to this community. The art of weaving is passed down from mothers to daughters from an early age. Their weavings are present in everyday utility items: fishing nets, blankets, backpacks, and hammocks.
Weaving is connected to family lineage. The technique is little known outside of the family members, as they safeguard this knowledge for future generations. The women weave in their spare time, and without a doubt, weaving is not just a hobby — it is a fundamental part of their ancestral culture.
Types of Wayúu backpacks
La Susu for “daily use”: This is a medium-sized backpack that the Wayúu people carry everywhere they go. They use it to hold personal items and work tools. This bag measures between 20 and 30 centimeters wide by 35 centimeters long. It is made from wool, fine cotton, and brightly colored yarn and features all kinds of geometric designs.
La Susuainiakajatu: This handcrafted backpack is very large and used by Wayúu women to carry the chinchorro (traditional hammock), clothing, and other large personal items. Due to its volume and weight, they strap it over their heads or load it onto their donkeys. It measures between 40 and 70 centimeters wide by 50 to 70 centimeters high. It is woven from cotton and yarn, featuring designs in various colors.
La Susu de crochet: The square or rectangular crochet Susu is a daily-use backpack worn by women of the Colombian Wayúu culture. It is woven from fine cotton with all kinds of patterns and has a braided strap.
La Kapatera: This bag is used by men to carry clothes and the chinchorro when they travel. It has a different shape than other crochet backpacks. It’s like a tube or cylinder with two openings and two long drawstrings that also serve as straps.
Piula or Kattowi backpacks: These are used to carry water jugs and gourds or to store food and utensils. They are made from goatskin, fique, curricán, and yarn. Some have very large mesh, which is woven by hand by community members, while the smaller ones are woven with a straight needle using the “twisted fillet” technique.
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Weaving techniques
There are two basic techniques: crochet and looms. The crochet technique is used to make smaller pieces using a single strand, while looms are used for larger, more complex works, such as backpacks or hammocks. In this technique, multiple threads are woven together precisely, allowing for more intricate patterns.
The Wayúu community spins cotton and apis, as well as other natural fibers from the region. They twist goat or cow leather strips to form threads, ropes, or cords. They twist industrial cotton and wool for fine weavings, creating different techniques that yield their beautiful Wayúu handicrafts.
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A legacy that remains intact over time
Without a doubt, these backpacks carry ancestral wisdom that conveys the essence of the Wayúu culture. Woven with dedication, each piece reflects the deep connection to their territory and their history. This tradition has transcended borders, and today the backpacks are recognized not only nationally, but internationally, as a symbol of richness. Each type and design of these backpacks tells the stories of a community that, beyond its artisanal heritage, preserves a true cultural treasure that remains alive and relevant today.
