Our Suppliers

Our suppliers are Artisans of the Wayuu indigenous community. We deal directly with them and buy their products at a fair price. Our aim is to help the Artisans we work with to earn a respectable and just income. For example, we buy directly from the Cooperativa Mulitactiva de Artesanos (Multi-active Cooperative of Artisans). See our signed agreement with this cooperative on this link: Akuaipa Artisans · Files · Shopify The cooperative produces and sells their goods on the promenade of Riohacha, which looks onto the Caribbean Sea.

One of the members and a good friend of Akuaipa Artisans is Yasmira Uriana. She is an Artisan from the Comunidad de Jiraawaikat. Her community’s ranchería (territory) resides between Riohacha and Maicao. She is mother to a girl, Ariana, who is training to become a Wayuu policewoman. She is very proud of her daughter. Yasmira first trained to be a schoolteacher and worked at the San Antonio school for Wayuu children for four years. She is currently training to be a sociologist and wants to contribute positively to the Wayuu community.

We first met when I was working in La Guajira on a social impact project. She was very interested in the supporting the project we were setting up at that time. It was aimed at carrying out workshops at Wayuu schools that gave Wayuu schoolchildren the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Wayuu customs and cultural practices via bilingual stories and poetry written by Wayuu writers. She helped us a lot, especially in the translation of teaching materials from Spanish to Wayunaiki for the workshops.

Yasmira stands out as a renowned Wayuu artisan dedicated to the preservation of her people's heritage. From a young age, she learnt the art of crocheting from her grandmother, weaving not just yarn but the ancestral wisdom and legends into every stitch. Her bags are distinguished by their geometric designs, inspired by the landscapes and myths unique to Wayuu folklore.

Yasmira’s rancheria, where her family creates the bags, is more than just a place of work; it's a hub for local women to gather, learn, and pass on their skills. She is committed to sustainable practices, using natural fibres and dyes sourced directly from the region. Through her craft, she supports her community, empowering other women by providing training and fair wages. She is also keen to supply the family’s artisanal production to sellers from around the world, but only so long as they respect her clan’s traditional style of production. She is especially enthusiastic about her partnership with Akuaipa Artisans as we directly support the survival of her language and cultural traditions.

Owning a Wayuu bag crafted by Yasmira’s family is to carry a piece of culture with you. Each creation is unique, representing not only the artistic flair of its maker but also the resilience and creativity of the Wayuu people. By choosing authentic Wayuu bags, consumers can help keep this remarkable tradition alive, ensuring artisans like Yasmira continue to thrive. By buying a bag from Akuaipa Artisans you also directly support projects that aim to deepen Wayuu school children’s knowledge of Wayuu traditions and to give them an opportunity to learn about these important practices in Wayunaiki (their language).

In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, the story of Yasmira and her fellow Wayuu artisans reminds us of the beauty and importance of handmade crafts. Their work is a testament to the enduring spirit of cultural identity and the power of community. Make yourself a part of her story!