Wayuú People

The Wayúu are an indigenous group from the Guajira Peninsula, located in northern Colombia and Venezuela, with a territory spanning 15,300 km². Their cosmogony states that they originated from Wotkasainru, a land in the High Guajira, and were created by the figure Maleiwa. In Wayúu culture, life is sacred, and all beings in nature—human, animal, plant, and even elements like rivers and stones—are seen as living entities. 

Weaving is a vital cultural practice for the Wayúu, transcending mere tradition to become a way of conceiving and expressing life. The intricate designs of their woven art, particularly Kanas, represent stylized geometric figures inspired by the natural elements surrounding their daily life. Kanas is an ancient form of weaving, believed to have originated in the High Guajira, and it serves as a profound expression of their worldview, capturing the spirit that guides their actions and thoughts.