5:31 AM
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (GMT-5)
Sunrise in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Dawn. Sun rises and connects the mountains with the shore. A warm light covers everything and the reflection of the ocean shines in a wide color palette. Northern Colombia, an isolated mountain range that reaches an altitude of 5,775 meters and 17,000 km2
Snowy mountain tops and crystal clear water. Only 42 km separates one from the other, in between: one of the most biodiverse spaces in the planet. Hundreds of species of plants and animals live in harmony.
What makes it magical? Its people. Its soul. Sierra keepers. They have been around for centuries, living, breathing and understanding every corner of this sacred place they call “the heart of the world”.
More than 70,000 indigenous people of the ethnic groups Koguis, Arhuacos, Kanukuamos, Wiwa and Wayuus live in the area. They are knowledge keepers. Carriers of the secrets of the origins and traditions of the country.
Ancient crafts and a simple way of living that has been around for as long as time. Wisdom passing by from generation to generation. Their mission: to preserve and keep the harmony between humanity and nature.
Through their language they communicate the power of its people. They live under the principle of exchange, making offerings to maintain a balance, what they take, they give back.
“Paradise in earth” for them is meaningless because their paradise is indeed, earth. “Ati”, feminine, the moon. “Kaku”, masculine, the sun. These communities let cosmology guide them and believe in the forces of nature as powerful messages from the universe.
Ancient crafts like the art of weaving is something so present in their culture that women start learning how to do it since they are little girls. For them threading is following a line of thoughts. It’s their representation of consciousness.
Ati Nawowa, is the feminine spirit that safeguards the origins of this technic. Weaving loom, basketry and threading “tutu”, or backpacks is part of their everyday from dawn to sunset.
The creation of this pieces is for them a representation of the meaning of life, the balance between them and nature. Every “tutu” represents the women’s’ womb that holds it all.
By Daniela García G.
Sharing is caring. From Colombia to the world.
Essential and perineal
Sustainability as a core value. Creating forever pieces that have infinite meanings and uses to close the loop. This Medellín-based brand works with four Colombian indigenous communities that live in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa, and Kankuamo.
The knowledge of this traditional culture is shared in every thread, an immersion to learn the art from the masters. Indigenous women work hand in hand with the creative team to create new collections that speak of the brand and at the same time respect the ancient technic to transmit its mystical message.
Safe keepers of tradition
A voice to be heard and a message to transmit. This organization works as an intermediary between Colombian artisans and the world, they aim to show the value and talent of indigenous communities and its ancient craftsmanship. Use their voice to give a new life to pieces that have been in the heart of the country for centuries and that are a key piece of the cultural imaginary of Colombia.
From tradition to luxury
Knowledge passed from generation to generation, this mother-daughter brand works with family in the center. Created by and for women that mix traditional technics with natural materials like Iraca Palm, Bejuco and Copper, to create one of a kind product like bags, fans, shoes and hats.
Creation by artisan families of four different regions in Colombia where the whole process takes place. From picking the materials to processing them to create the final product. A touch of culture to rethink luxury through traditional ways.
Rum making and the search for perfection
Recipe with Caribbean flavor. La Hechicera is a family-founded company that wants to transmit a little of Colombia in each of its bottles. Rum makers by tradition, passionate by heart, a master blender that creates a unique mix to reach perfection.
Inspired by Colombian natural elements to give rum a touch of remembrance. Noble wood, tobacco, roasted coffee and orange feel mature in its barrels while keeping the spirit of time. Artisan made to be felt.
Community and co creation
Wayuu bags from Colombia to the world. Women as creators, magical hands that carry years of tradition and evolution. This brand works hand in hand with a community of Wayuu women that knit bags with unique designs, giving the traditional “mochila” a contemporary touch.
Preserve the true art of knitting
This brand creates one of a kind products hand in hand with the Wayuu community, present in the Guajira region. Each piece is 100% handmade out of raw materials like Iraca and Mawisa palm and Toquilla straw, empowering Colombian natural resources and preserving this ancient technic.
Nature as their source of inspiration. With their hands these artisans send a message of union and significance, following their main goal of being the caretakers of the place they call home. Each of them carries a part of the knowledge and soul of the country’s ancient traditions, sharing a part of Colombia with the world.
6:13 PM
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (GMT-5)
Sunset in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
By Daniela García G.
