Artisans Arhuaco Nation
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta · Northern Colombia
For the Arhuaco people, a woven mochila carries more than belongings. It holds a connection to nature, community and identity.
A heritage rooted in the mountains
The Arhuaco, also known as Ika, live in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia. Descendants of the Tayrona culture, they maintain a spiritual relationship with their territory and the natural world.
Stories woven into every mochila
Arhuaco women express their knowledge and understanding of nature through weaving. Traditional woollen mochilas often use earthy shades of cream, brown, grey and black, with geometric patterns connected to the community’s cultural world.
Knowledge carried forward
The craft is learned through practice and passed between generations. Beyond its everyday use, the mochila is a symbol of Arhuaco identity—a reminder that the value of a handmade piece lies in the people, knowledge and traditions behind it.