Artisans

Meet the Makers

Located deep in the La Guajira desert, between the Colombian and Venezuelan border, rises the traditional and ancestral indigenous Wayuú community. Its arriving to the territory dates to 150 A.D, to escape the hostile environments under the Spanish Yoke from the Amazon rainforest and Antilles. The community finds a new safe home. The tribe occupies a total area of 4,170 square miles (10,800 square kilometers) within the desert covering a large area in both colombian and venezuelan territory. The Wayuú folk is conformed by approximately 295,000 residents in the venezuelan region and 144,000 in the colombian region. With the final purpose of maintaining their traditional heritage and rituals, far away from the national context and government interventions, the Wayuú people have found shelter in small, isolated communities, of which there are around 10 in the La Guajira. The families live in huts called racherías made from cactus or palm-leaf-thatched roofs, yotojoro (mud, hay or fried cane) walls with basic furniture which includes hammocks (chinchorros) and a wood stove for cooking. The Wayuú community is a matriarchal community, where the woman owns the house and runs the family, while the man works with the animals and land. Each community has a leader who takes the decisions; usually there leader are well connected individuals who are direct descendants of previous leaders. Often these individuals know both Spanish and the Wayuú’s language. Wayuunaiki (part of the Maipuran or Arawakan language). Their culture combines legends, myths, stories, traditions and customs.

LOS CABRITOS

Amalfi Romero
Community leader

Los Cabritos community is located on the Km 5 vía Valledupar on the right wing. About 1 hour and a half from Riohacha, Los Cabritos is the closest community to the urban center. Amalfi is the leader of this community, she is our main bridge between the communities and the foundation. Their job is to schedule production and supervise work in other communities. Currently, within the community 23 artisans work with us.

Angelica Bouriyu

Aracelia Jarariyu

Carmen Pushaina

Dairis Sijona

Dairis Uriana

Daniris Perez

Glenda Pushaina

Karerine Pushaina

Katherine Uriana

Kelia Rosado

Kendry Romero

Martha Epiayu

Maryoris Uriana

Melinda Perez

Monica Epiayu

Nancy Romero

Nurys Maria Epiayu

Patricia Epiayu

Remedio Romero

Remedios Romero

Tatiana Perez

Valeria Pushaina

Yelitza Pushaina

Yerina Pushaina

Yojana Epiayu

Yolanda Gonzalez

Alibardo Romero

Franco Rafael

José Agustín Epiayu

Luis Eduardo Epiayu

Nando Rafel Epiayu

Rodrigo Epiayu

UYARAIPA

Located at km 15 via mayapo at the popoya entrance on the right bank of riohacha mayapo, the Uyaraipa community is located. Fredy the leader in charge in Uyaraipa is the person who coordinates the production in the community, the deliveries and shipments.

Juana Bouriyu

Luz Marina

Mamira Deluke

Maria Mercedes Bouriyu

Miladis

Milena Bouriyu

Nelly

Nilka

Nuris

Omaira Uyaraia

Rosalindra Bouyuri

Tenady Epiayu

URRACHIKAT

Yamileth Gouriyu
Community leader

Urrachikat is located at kilometer 30 via Mayapo Manaure. Meet Yami, who is in charge of coordinating the work of the 20 artisans with whom we work in this community.

Abelis Epinayu

Chayo Sapuana

Edilma Rosado

Eliadis Gouriyu

Ermelinda Bouriyu

Joaquina Gonzales

Malvina Gouriyu

Maria Elena Deluque

Maria Elena Epieyu

Masilia Epinayu

Milenis Gouriyu

Silvia Riviera

Yanilsa Gouriyu

Yuledis Cotes

ATURAIMPA

The Aturaimpa community is located in the township of jonjoncito municipality Uribia la Guajira.

Adelina Jusayu

Aide Sapuana

Alida Gonzalez

Ana Alicia Gonzalez

Ana Angelica Gonzalez

Ana Edily Arpushana

Daniela Epieyu

Ligia Margarita Gonzalez

Lucila Gonzalez

Maria Teresa Sapuana

Oleida Spauana

Victoria Epiayu

CIRUELAKAT

Located at Km 16 via Mayapo, the Ciruelakat community raises its rancherías. Hercy is the person in charge of leading the production of 61 artisans in this community.

Adela Peralta

Angela Jusayu

Cecilia Sapuana

Maria Alejandra Uriana

Maria Claudia Uriana

Maria Jose Uriana

Remedios Bouriyu

Rosalba Deluke

Maria Angelica Bouriyu

Hernan Pachon

Nicolas Epinayu

Santos Perez

SABANA LARGA

Located at Km 16 via Mayapo, the Ciruelakat community raises its rancherías. Hercy is the person in charge of leading the production of 61 artisans in this community.

Ana Ipuana