WHO ARE THE WAYUU?
The Wayuu are the largest indigenous group of Colombia. Inhabiting the desertic region of La Guajira, the northernmost point of South America, they are an autonomous and matriarchal tribe.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!More than exquisite craftsmanship, the Wayuu bags tell a handwoven story and represent a tradition of what it is to be a Wayuu woman.
The Wayuu tribe are comprised of +30 clans who live in rancherías, small isolated communities made of clay huts with palm roofs. A proud group, the Wayuu have been able to preserve their culture and language despite Europeans’ many attempts to colonize.
“To be a woman is to know how to weave”.
THE WAYUU BAGS
For the matriarchal tribe, the tradition of crochet and weaving is a symbol of womanhood, status and intelligence.
Traditionally, women are taught to crochet during the “encierro” a sacred confinement which begins during their first menstruation and can last from months to years.
During this rite of passage into womanhood, a girl learns to care for the home, for her family and crochet.
The longer the confinement, the finer a girl’s weaving skills become, making her a highly valued woman in her community.
Wayuu bags are a cultural heritage.
OUR MISSION
Lombia believes in empowering women to gain financial knowledge & freedom. We do so by working alongside and providing +120 indigenous Wayuu with safe and meaningful work. The fruits of our labor can be see through our well-crafted Wayuu bags: a reflection of our commitment and dedication to quality.
Beautiful Design
We pour our hearts and souls into creating modern pieces while honoring traditional Wayuu designs. These are NOT your average market Wayuu bags.
Giving Back To the Community
Financial knowledge is financial freedom. Together with the artisans, we set community goals to improve their living conditions. From sanitation to business knowledge, we set yearly goals to encourage their growth and success.
Quality From Master Artisans
I work closely with Master Artisans who oversee the work of over 150+ artisans to ensure the quality of our Wayuu bags. Not to mention, all pieces are inspected one by one, to bring you a product you will love and cherish for years to come.
Fair Trade
Indigenous women are in the top percentile of the population most likely to live in extreme poverty. To ensure access to decent living standards, Lombia pays 25-30% above the average market price for our Wayuu bags.
Hola! I’m Jade. I moved to Colombia in 2014 and immediately fell in love with the vivid colors of Wayuu bags. I also learned about the lack of resources the artisans that make these bags struggle with on a daily basis.
With the goal to create a conscious brand, today Lombia is my full-time passion. I get to stretch my design muscles (something I’ve always wanted to do, but never had a chance to), work with a huge network of talented women, and most importantly, improve the lives of the artisans through fair trade purchase and community projects.
Through Lombia, I continuously travel to La Guajira, learning more about the Wayuu culture, meeting incredible women and expanding our network of Wayuu artisans.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYUU BAGS
THE LOVE IS REAL
Really excited about this new bag! Quality is great, I feel I’ll be able to use it for many years to come, and it arrived so easily. Many thanks!
The bag is beautiful and very well made. Fast delivery too.
Perfect for wearing during the summer.
Really cute and nicely made bag! Arrived very fast
Beautiful bag, nice colors ! Perfect for summer. I am happy to get it