Bogotá Wayuu Backpack Workshop

Bogotá Wayuu Backpack Workshop

At the Wayuu Backpack Workshop in Bogotá, participants will learn about the significance of this traditional product in Colombian culture while designing their own bag to take home as a souvenir.

The workshop begins at 2 pm at The Cranky Croc Hostel, followed by a walk to the historic center of Bogotá. During the walk, there will be a stop at a café to enjoy a traditional drink, during which discussions will cover indigenous communities from North Colombia and the symbolic meaning of the Wayuu backpack.

Participants will then visit the workshop of a Wayuu craftswoman from La Guahira, who will demonstrate the weaving techniques and patterns used in crafting backpacks through crochet methods introduced by Spanish conquistadors. This activity supports the livelihoods of many indigenous families involved in the commercialization of these products.

With guidance from the craftswoman, attendees will have the opportunity to design their own miniature backpacks, following a Colombian tradition linked to the legend of Wale' Kerü, the weaver spider.

The workshop concludes with participants receiving a souvenir backpack and keychain featuring Wayuu weaving patterns, with farewells taking place around 5 pm in the backpack tent.