For thousands of years, cacao has been an important part of the spiritual life of the Arhuaco indigenous people. The Arhuaco consider Cacao as a sacred plant and brain stimulant; it is believed to have been used to strengthen their visionary abilities while building sacred sites such as the remarkable Lost City. This is the drink for special occasions; especially in their religious and spiritual ceremonies. Owing to the powerful energy of the Sierra Nevada and its people, Arhuaco cacao is already considered among the best in the world!
Like for many ancestral cultures, the Arhuaco believe that the cacao is a gift from the gods, carrying potent spiritual properties; this is believed to open our capacity for introspection, clarity and to be able to see crucial visions. It has been used as a tool for healing, ceremony, and spiritual communion for centuries. The Arhuaco people continue to prepare and consume their ceremonial cacao with great care and reverence, with rituals surrounding its consumption that honor the plant and its sacred essence. Usually Arhuaco members will thank the cacao and listen music to immerse themselves into the experience and potent the connection with this plan medicine. Also, members chew Coca leaves during these ceremonies.
As we delve into the practice of ceremonial cacao, it is essential to approach it with respect and humility, honoring the wisdom of the ancestral cultures from which it originates. This means acknowledging the cultural heritage of cacao, learning about its traditional uses, and practicing gratitude for the gifts it offers.
Ceremonial cacao provides a powerful opportunity to reconnect with ancient traditions, nourish our bodies, and deepen our spiritual understanding. By honoring the wisdom of ancestral cultures and embracing the sacred essence of cacao, we can tap into a profound source of healing and transformation in our modern lives. Whether participating in a formal ceremony or simply savoring a cup of hot cacao mindfully, let us cultivate reverence for this sacred plant and the ancient cultures that have revered it for millennia.
Click on picture below to buy yours today.
]]>This hat is an iconic symbol of Colombian culture, particularly in the region of the Caribbean coast where this was created it. The process of making each hat is a long and intricate, involving the extraction and preparation of the fibers, the weaving of the strands, and the shaping of the hat which takes a lot of time and talent to do properly.
Take a look at part of the process in the video below made by our suppliers in Sucre.
The origins of the sombrero vueltiao can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era, when indigenous tribes in Colombia began weaving hats from natural materials. It is believed that the first hats were made by an indigenous group called Zenu 300 years ago. The caña flecha plant, which grows abundantly in the wetlands of the Caribbean coast, proved to be an ideal material for weaving hats due to its strength and flexibility and therefore, since the beginning this has been the material used to make these special hats.
Over time, the design of the hats evolved, with different indigenous groups developing their own distinctive styles. The zigzag pattern that is now characteristic of the sombrero vueltiao is thought to have originated with the Zenú indigenous people from the northern part of Colombia.
The sombrero vueltiao gained widespread popularity in the 19th century, when it became a symbol of resistance against Spanish colonialism. During this time, Colombian peasants began wearing the hat as a way of asserting their cultural identity and rejecting the authority of their Spanish colonizers.
Today, the sombrero vueltiao is recognized as a national symbol of Colombia, and it is worn by people of all social classes and backgrounds and it is a ubiquitous part of the country's cultural heritage. These hats are often featured in festivals and celebrations throughout the country.
Photo description: Traditional Black & White hat
Photo description: Colombian Flag hat
]]>Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from September 15th to October 15th. It’s a time to acknowledge, reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic, Latino and Latinx community.
Many Latin American countries are also celebrating their independence days during this month. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15th - this special day represents the start of Hispanic Heritage Month as the 5 nations declared independence from Spain on this day in 1821. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th.
"Vive tu cultura'”
This year's theme is 'Vive tu cultura' which encourages you to celebrate and embrace Hispanic culture and heritage by living your life keeping in mind your culture.
How is it celebrated? Through parades, art exhibits, music & food. However, we believe that the most valuable way to celebrate is to learn more about the Latino culture and important Latino figures in the past and realize how they’ve enriched nations. Also, we want to use this opportunity to make a call on the importance of inclusion and representation in our society; our Latino Community and other minorities needs more support, not only this month but year round. Why should you educate yourself on this topic? Well, we may embrace multiculturalism and reconsider outdated views by cultivating a positive, inclusive, and culturally varied society.
Hispanic Heritage Month gives recognition to hardworking Latinos and their contributions to society in the past as well as in the future. Here are some of the famous Latinos who have left a deep imprint on history and opened the doors to new opportunities:
Mexican-American journalist, educator, suffragist, activist who dedicated her life to fight racism and speak about women’s and Mexican-American’s rights during the time of lynchings. She was the founder of a feminist educational group, the League of Mexican Women.
Ellen Ochoa (1958)
Research engineer, astronaut at NASA. Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space for a 9 day mission. She was also the first Hispanic director of Johnson Space Center.
Cesar Chavez (1927)
Labor leader, community organizer and civil rights activist who brought about better conditions for agricultural workers in the U.S. Chavez organized agricultural workers into the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. He believed in peaceful resistance movements. His birthday is also a federal commemorative holiday in some U.S. states.
Gabriela Mistral (1889)
Chilean poet and educator. Mistral was one of the most famous Latin American poets at the time; the first Hispanic to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. Mistral was also an advocate of democracy and a fighter for the poor, children and women.
These are only a few examples of extraordinary Latino changemakers. We hope that we continue to see more Latinos achieving great accomplishments. As the world is changing and the conversation of inclusion and representation seems to be in the spotlight, we hope for future generations to live in a world that offers more fair and equal opportunities to everyone regardless of ethnicity, color, or believes.
We have always wanted to support the Latino community, and we do so by working with small businesses and artisans from South America. We provide opportunities for them to increase their business and reach an international market.
Further, is our goal and mandate to amplify more Latin American voices, so we make sure we represent as well as possible the artisans, culture and story behind each of our products. Representing South American culture through our products makes us very happy!
Lastly, we partnered up with some local Latino artisans and small businesses in our home city: Vancouver, Canada to also support our community locally. And we donate often to local organizations helping our community.
]]>Handcrafts have always played an important role in the rich culture of Latin America. From the indigenous communities of Mexico to the artisanal villages of Peru, handcrafts have been passed down from generation to generation and have become an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage. These are very important part of Latin American culture, reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of the region and have played an essential role in shaping the identity and economy of Latin America.
However, in recent years handcrafts in Latin America have faced numerous challenges, including declining demand, competition from mass-produced goods, and limited access to markets, making the lives of artisans and continuation of this activity very challenging. At IndiArts we support these traditional crafts as we want artisans to continue this activity because we love their work and know how important this is for everyone in their community and for the local culture maintenance.
Photo description: This is a market I visited in Puerto Vallarta last February while on vacation. I found a mixed of authentic and mass- produced goods.
1. Declining demand
Many traditional handcrafts are not popular with younger generations, who are more interested in modern, mass-produced goods. Also, many people chose the cheapest option of a product, which is the mass-produce copy of the traditional crafts.
At IndiArts, we work closely with our artisan partners to create products with more modern designs so they can be more appealing to the North American market, while improving, modifying or innovating the artisanal products. For this reason, many of our products are unique to our brand and different to the more traditional designs. We believe that in order to revive interest in handcrafts, it is important to offer modern and versatile designs more attractive to contemporary consumers.
2. Competition from mass-produced goods
With technology and automation, many goods that were once handmade are now produced on a large scale, at a fraction of the cost. These are often produced in Asia and then imported into Latin America. As a result, many consumers opt for cheaper, less authentic products. This has make it very difficult for many artisans to make a living, as their products are seen as less valuable and less desirable compared to mass-produced goods.
At IndiArts, we make sure we know every artisan that makes our products to guarantee that we offer authentic handmade products.
3. Limited access to markets
Artisans markets is often limited to their local community and tourists that come to their location. This is due to language barrier and artisans lack of training in technology to connect with an international audience.
At IndiArts we want to be a marketplace of artisanal products and represent our talented makers and connect them to a global audience!
However, despite these challenges, the future of handcrafts in Latin America is hopeful. There is a growing recognition of the value of handcrafted goods, both in terms of their cultural significance and the impact they have on the local economy. This has resulted in an increasing global interest in authentic, handcrafted goods, which could bring a greater demand for handcrafted goods in Latin America in the coming years.
Moreover, many consumers are now seeking out handcrafted goods as a way of connecting with their heritage and supporting local communities, for which handicrafts are great options.
To ensure the future of handcrafts in Latin America, it is important to support the artisans who create these products. We can do this by buying authentic goods at a fair price. Please don't ask for discounts to artisans! At IndiArts, we buy all our products over the asking price as we really value the dedication, talent and hard work that is put into each product. Another option if you can't travel yourself to buy these products is to buy them from us and feel good to know that the artisans that made the products are being treated fairly.
Additionally, on the broader scope, we hope local governments to start providing more support to artisans including training and resources to assist them to reach a wider market and improve their business practices. Also, raising awareness of the importance of handcrafted goods in the local community could be a great help too. Lastly, providing tax incentives, investing in infrastructure, or establishing programs to help artisans access new markets are other ways governments could help these artisans.
Let us know your thoughts or comments in the comments below!
]]>Purchases are not always about paying money to get an intangible product. The Wayuu bag - a handcrafted accessory - crocheted by the Wayuu indigenous artisans of Colombia, is a form of art that deserves more attention and preservation.
Now you can have a beautiful bag to match your daily outfit while supporting a community of talented artisans and a very rich culture! ❤️
Here are 5 Reasons to Buy a Mochila Wayuu Bag that you need to know:
Mochila Wayuu Bags are colorful and have unique and special patterns. You can easily show your style with them. No matter what outfit you feel like wearing, a Wayuu bag will surely complement your look. We got a great variety of mochilas with different sizes, colors and designs to offer a Mochila Wayuu for your everyday needs. Check out some of our mochila styles!
1) Elegant Wayuu Bag with Leather Drawstring
2) Unicolor Mochila
3) Encanto Bag
See also The Power of Color to learn more about how colors affect your feelings.
As technology evolves every day and "modernization" is taking over society, keeping traditions is getting more challenging. That is why we dedicate ourselves in supporting the preservation of the Wayuu as well as other indigenous and traditional cultures in South America. Just like other indigenous communities, the Wayuu is also rich in art, and their artworks and handicrafts are the most prominent evidence and representation of the spirit of their culture.
When buying a Mochila Wayuu and other of our indigenous made products, you are supporting indigenous artists and their culture preservation, since supporting the handicrafts industry helps them to continue this practice and with this the knowledge and tradition linked to this activity that is crucial part of their identity.
Every Wayuu bag is handcrafted with love, respect and pride, and a story that symbolizes important parts of the Wayuu people is woven into each bag design, which is told through the bag’s colors, patterns, and shapes that the individual artist has created and that makes each bag so special and unique. Further, keeping the handicraft activity is necessary for the survival of the Wayuu culture as important knowledge is pass on through the storytelling that takes part in the preparation and making of the bags.
We believe the story and significance behind every bag deserve to be known by more people around the world!
Making and trading Mochila Wayuu Bags is one of the major economic sources of the Wayuu people. If there is demand in the market, it will definitely support and create more job opportunities in the community for the waivers. With the fair trade environment that we create for the artisans, you can help the Wayuu people improve their quality of life by buying their beautifully handmade bags and other products.
Learn more about the Wayuu community and how is their life in our blog post "How do the Wayuu People live".
Nothing proves Wayuu artisans’ talent better than the artwork itself. With every purchase of a Wayuu bag or a Wayuu made product, the chances of them being known by people are higher. The technique is not just a gift that is inherent in the community, rather it is one that deserves to be seen.
Thinking about having a Wayuu bag of your own? At Indiarts Collective, we have a wide selection of these bags and other Wayuu products. Under our fair trade system, we guarantee that every artisan is fully respected and getting what they deserve.
Shop our Wayuu Style Collection here!
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Fair Trade Impacts Graphic: Adit Shetty. Thank you so much!
Fair Trade (Fairtrade trademark) is a movement to improve living and working conditions for producers, farmers and suppliers in developing countries. A trade is a fair trade when producers are paid a fair price for their work, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect. Watch video if you want to learn more about Fair Trade.
(photo taken from WFTO website)
By purchasing products from fair trade businesses, you are taking steps to change the living conditions for many communities around the world.
Fairtrade businesses pay a fair and sustainable wage to producers and farmers, which allow them to pay for items and services to live a comfortable life. The fairtrade movement provides a ‘fairtrade premium’ to communities in developing countries, which grants them the opportunity to upgrade infrastructure by building hospitals, schools, as well as update their workplace tools and facilities.
Fair trade seeks greater equity in international trade. Further, it contributes to sustainable development by protecting workers rights, improving their livelihoods, and protecting the environment by following environmental standards.
At IndiArts Collective, we function at a Fair-Trade standard. Artisans, producers, and all others involved in creating, distributing, and selling our products are treated fairly and with respect. The product creators are given credit for their work and are paid their asking price as we recognize their time and work worth, while creating sustainable trade relationships in the process. Our featured handmade products showcase the talent of over 30 families of South American artisans to the global market, helping them support their families, continue with their traditional handcraft that is crucial for their culture and improve their quality of living.
Additionally, at the end of every year, we donate 5% of our sales back to our artisans. In 2020 & 2021 we also donated 10% of all sales of November & December back to our Wayuu and Embera Indigenous artisans as they keep struggling a lot due to the pandemic.
(Valentina, owner of Indiarts buying directly from a Wayuu artisan in La Guajira, Colombia)
https://rdcu.be/b5Upz (This is the article the citation is from)
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-environmental-fast-fashion-sustainable.html
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Deep in the La Guajira desert near the border of Colombia and Venezuela, you’ll find the indigenous tribe of the Wayuu people. Having migrated from the Amazon rainforest and Antillies in 150 AD, the Wayuu people have a long history of culture and tradition. More recently, however, both the Colombian and Venezuelan governments have exercised rights taking away from the Wayuu people’s freedoms and resources, even though they don’t fall under Colombian and Venezuelan jurisdiction as they have their own form of government. Not only do they courageously face struggles with governments, but many of their old economic activities have also declined drastically due to geographic hardships and commercialization. Visit A Brief History of Colombia's Wayuu Tribe to learn more about their history.
One of the Wayuu's major source of economic activity is the making and trading of their beautiful mochila Wayuu bags. Each of these pieces of art is created with a sustainable single cotton thread and takes an artisan up to two weeks to complete one single bag (depending on pattern complexity and size of the bag). Only the women are taught this skill, oftentimes from a mother or grandmother. They begin learning how to crochet when they are only 7 years old and are limited to learning simple techniques. It is when they begin their first menstrual cycle that the young women pass through the ritual of physical puberty, in which they are confined for 3-5 days. While in confinement, the mother or person that taught them how to crochet initially will finish passing on all the knowledge and information related to the art of crochet.
Making these mochilas holds a deep meaning to the Wayuu artisans as it comes from their ancestors and is considered as part of their identity. Weaving is a symbol of wisdom, intelligence, and creativity that represents ancient traditions and knowledge of their culture. Each design incorporated into a Wayuu bag is unique to its weaver, telling a story through the bag’s colors, patterns, and shapes.
When we talked with our Wayuu artisans about their mochila bags, they confided in us that they feel frustrated about the cultural appropriation that has happened before. Many people buy their products, export them and then brand them without giving the Wayuu artisans any recognition for their work. They are also sad that many buyers try to get discounts on the artisan’s products, even when the price is already low for the amount of work that goes into creating the mochilas. The Wayuu people are very proud of the work that has made them famous around the world and hope to one day receive the recognition and fair payment they deserve!
While the Wayuu women are absorbed in their Mochila making, the men typically provide the food for the communities from fishing and grazing goats, sheep and cows. However, some artisan men focus on making easier crochet objects such as coin purses. Also, they are in charge of more strength required handcrafts including making the straps for the bags and clutches. Clutches are made using the tapiz (tapestry in English) ancestral technique (check out our video Making Wayuu Clutches to understand how the tapestry technique works). Visit our Wayuu Clutch/Small Bag page to see some of the men's designs!
The Wayuu people prefer not to make traditional designs for commercial purposes as these typically are very complex and time consuming and clients usually don't want to pay a reasonable price for them. We feel honored that our artisans shared with us some of their most traditional patterns (considered "Kaanas authentic designs") and their corresponding meanings.
Named Pasata Looya” in their Wayuunaiki language, this traditional Wayuu pattern represents cow guts (an important symbol as cows are one of the main sources of food in the region) | |
Named "Antirajauyagua" in their Wayuunaiki language, this traditional Wayuu design symbolizes the paths in life. | |
Named "Walaker" in their Wayuunaiki language, this traditional Wayuu design represents “Wale Keru,” the spider that, according to the Wayuu legend, taught the first Wayuu women how to crochet and incorporate different creative drawings into their designs. |
You can learn more about the story behind the making of the Wayuu bags on our page Everything About The Mochila Wayuu Bags. To see some of the less traditional designs, visit our Large & Colorful Wayuu Bag page, Medium Wayuu Bag page, or our Mini Wayuu Bag page.
Along with the patterns of the mochila bags, they also pay close attention to the colors they choose. The Wayuu people use a lot of neon and bright colors to transmit and reflect happiness. Along these same lines, the colors they see in the rainbow are often used, as rainbows are considered a sacred, natural phenomena. They also use browns, beige, and black as these are often found in nature and represent mother earth.
There are 5 main ancestral traditions that are very important for the Wayuu culture and considered crucial for their identity: the "Majaauyuu," a celebration of female adulthood; the sacred "Yoona" dance; the community's "palebreo"; large & close-knit families; and the making & trading of their Wayuu mochila bags.
- The “Majaauyuu” celebration of adulthood of women during their first period. They are confined for up to 1,000 days and have to undergo some sacred practices during this time to prepare them for their life as an adult woman. During this time, mom's pass on to their daughters the knowledge and skills they need to become a Wayuu women. (including crocheting)
- The Wayuu traditional and sacred dance called the “Yoona.” The Wayuu people use this dance to celebrate important occasions such a the 15th birthday of a woman, to welcome important guests to their community and during October 12th to celebrate the Day of Indigenous People Resistance.
- They have a “Palabreo,” who works as a lawyer in their communities to settle disputes between community members. This person is chosen by the community and is known for being calm and behaving respectfully.
- For the Wayuu people, family is the most important thing in life. They tend to have large, close-knit families that support each other greatly.
-Their economy is based on the trade of their mochila Wayuu bags and other artisanal products, agriculture, fishing (in some regions) and animal grazing and hunting.
(that don’t include buying a plane ticket to do humanitarian work)
For a really long time, I thought that in order to help other people and do “humanitarian work,” I needed to go to other countries. For most of my teenage years, that’s what I strove for, but I always felt one step away. If only my minimum wage job paid me more so I could get that plane ticket. If only I knew of more people that were doing humanitarian programs abroad that I could go with. If only I was 25 and working in the medical field traveling to new places every month to help babies, little kids, and grown men and women. I’m not kidding, that’s what I laid in bed dreaming about when I was 17.
If only, if only, if only.
But my understanding has been changed, and I’ve come to realize the value of not spending the money on that plane ticket. Don’t get me wrong, my wanderlust, save humanity-driven heart still would if I could, but there are many reasons why I shouldn’t. For example:
While goods will never overpower the value of experiences and people, I can help abundantly by purchasing sustainable, ethical, and fair trade products. (Spending $3000 on airfare to help 5 people for 2 weeks or spending $500 over the course of a year to purchase products from 8 different artisans, all of which are good for the earth and will last you a long time.)
Humanitarian trips are AWESOME (trust me, I’ve done a few), but I only know of a few people who are actually able to take them consistently and often (we’re talking 4-5 times a year) and sustain their own livelihoods. Most of us have families, jobs, and dogs we gotta take care of.
There are myriads of businesses (eh-eehmm...IndiArts) that focus solely on providing ethical, earth-saving goods made by talented people that you would go to do the humanitarian work for anyway.
The whole “Give the man a fish or teach the man to catch his own fish” concept (teach & support the people that are striving to provide for themselves rather than just giving them what they need. Let people grow and succeed).
Purchasing products from indigenous artisans benefits both sides! You get this seriously fantastic product that fits your needs, lifestyle, and helps the planet, while the artisan who made it receives a FAIR profit for beautiful, time-consuming work.
This doesn’t mean that traveling far away to do some good in the world is bad or not of value, because it isn't bad and it is valuable. What I’m saying is that there are other ways to leave a positive impact on the world when those other options aren’t the most viable. In the end, what matters is how you feel you left your mark. And most of the time, it's how you leave your mark in small, consistent ways that makes the biggest difference in your life and the lives of others.
-Abby Christensen
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Merriam-Webster defines fast fashion as: “An approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers”. Essentially, selling the right product, at the right price, in the right spot, results in a no questions asked sale. If manufacturers keep making money without accountability, we prove their point. When a first world customer buys cheap things that flatter for a season, they are drawn into a cycle that consumes and disposes at a rate that isn’t sustainable or beneficial.
The idea of buying happiness is fed and reinforced to us from a young age, taking advantage of our needs, insecurities and our desire to fit in. On a larger scale this ability to consume is passed off as status, it gives a false sense of wealth that erodes the ability to make significant improvements in quality of life. This consumer/product dynamic has always existed but with the increased connectivity, our ability to advertise, produce and ship has fueled a need and created mass wealth for a limited few with significant human and environmental costs. The discrepancy of what we need and what we own in is typically disproportionate. For example, the average American throws away 81 pounds a year of clothing which amounts to 111 million tons (reference cited below), most of which is non-biodegradable and will sit in landfills releasing harmful gases into the air.
We’ve been disconnected from the production process and its makers, which makes the items more appealing at the cost they are offered. The right price and the product is purchased without question and little hesitation. If we ask the questions, we can shift purchasing habits away from mindless consumerism.
1) Do I need this?
2) How was it made?
3) Who made it?
4) How long will this last me?
5) What will become of this?
6) How I will use it?
By informing consumers of the true cost of their choices and encouraging them to ask themselves simple questions about their purchases, we can shape the world with our economic votes. If we work as a group, we can acknowledge and clearly say: “No, I’m sorry, it’s not acceptable that someone dies in the course of the day to make this.” We can let go of old ways of thinking and address the true cost of what we support with our time, energy and money.
At Indiarts Collective, we aim to create opportunities for South American artisans to earn income and to improve life in their communities. We support this by guaranteeing that our artisans are treated and paid fairly, by working with small businesses and independent artisans and by doing direct trade with the products makers as much as possible. Further, we assure that the quality of the goods we carry is good so that it will have a long life cycle.
Citations
1) https://truecostmovie.com/
2) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20fashion
4) Wilson, Gabrielle (May 29, 2015). "Must-Watch: 'The True Cost' Shines A Light On The Human Price Of Your Bargain Shopping". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2016.'
]]>Remember the last time you went to your favorite clothing store, picked up a product, and thought about the skilled hand that created such a glorified possession? If you’re one of the 70% of the world’s population that has probably never done that, no worries. You’re not alone.
But I hope now you’re thinking, “do people actually do that?” Because the truth is, some do. There are people out there that question the ethics behind how products are made and/or traded. And hopefully by the end of reading this, you’ll be part of that tribe.
The official Fair Trade organization is a third party entity that provides certifications for companies who wish to create ethical work environments and distribute sustainable products. Fair Trade goes through businesses' selling processes to ensure that all people in the making and trading process are treated ethically and paid a fair price. In return for this service, businesses pay Fair Trade in order to obtain and keep their certification. That being said, there are companies who live and breathe the same values as the Fair Trade organization, while not being "Fair Trade Certified."
This is where lower-case "fair trade" comes into play. When a business claims to be a fair trade company, but there are no official certifications, it means that the business functions at a fair trade standard. Artisans, producers, and all others involved in creating, distributing, and selling are treated fairly and with respect. The product creators are given credit for their work and are paid what their time and work is worth, while creating sustainable trade relationships in the process.
At IndiArts Collective, we focus our work on creating partnerships with indigenous communities throughout Latin America that otherwise would have little opportunity to sell their goods. These artisans are skilled in their work, having had generations of knowledge and training passed down, and are therefore paid what their art and time are worth.
But it doesn’t end there.
These artisans spend hours handcrafting their goods. They use sustainable products that will last and are very meticulous with each design. These are the products that will stand the test of time.
To understand slow fashion, it would help to first take a look at the meaning of fast fashion. Take a look at Google's definition:
Fast fashion is about here and now. It’s not about considering what’s best for the environment, what’s best for people, or what’s best even for ourselves.
Society in this day and age has been built on the idea that we can have whatever we want, at the time we want it. And therefore, to keep up with this unrealistic ideal, producers have increased their inventory in an unhealthy way. They produce more, we consume more, we throw out more harmful products that sit in landfills and release harmful gasses. In fact, it’s estimated that the fashion industry produces roughly 8-10% of the CO2 emitted in the air (equalling 4-5 billion tons annually) (Niinimäki). This is the result of increased production and an increased amount of clothing being cheaply made and thrown away too often. The clothing and textiles are unable to decompose, release chemicals into the air when burned, and provide no particular environmental benefit whatsoever.
Slow fashion, however, teaches you to go against every thought society has taught you to think.
Slow fashion is about wearing products that were made ethically- with both the environment and people in mind. As well as goods that pride themselves on sustainability; things that will stand the test of time (at least a good few years of time, not just a few months).
And this is where slow fashion ties into fair trade. IndiArts Collective not only focuses on people being treated fairly in the buying & selling process, we also focus on the environment being treated fairly. Sure, the products classified under “slow fashion” will take longer to produce, and they may cost more than the cheaply-made goods (rightly so), but haven’t you noticed how the things that are worth it take the most time and effort?
We don’t become successful overnight.
We don’t become our ideal self after one self-help class or book.
We didn’t build Rome or Paris or Rio in a day.
Pledge to yourself that you are going to try harder to live a more intentional life, whatever that means for you. You can make vows or promises or create sacred mantras, it’s up to you.
Further your research and deepen your knowledge on this subject. Resource after resource exists to aid in our ability to make informed decisions, but it’s our choice whether or not we are going to seek out that information.
Show your support for IndiArts Collective and our fair trade, slow fashion mission by subscribing to our newsletter, purchasing products (like the ones below) to help the Artisans who made them, and leaving reviews on the products you buy so others can see how awesome they are. Together we can help the indigenous communities we can’t reach on our own.
Now that you know what you do, what are you going to do about it?
Add any of our Wayuu Mochila bags to your outfit to support the artisan who made them. Get yours today!
(Click on each picture to view similar bags of different colors and patterns)
https://rdcu.be/b5Upz (This is the article the citation is from)
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-environmental-fast-fashion-sustainable.html
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/01/24/how-us-clothing-is-made
Niinimäki, K., Peters, G., Dahlbo, H. et al. The environmental price of fast fashion. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1, 189–200 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0039-9
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We are focusing on indigenous communities from Colombia and our sources include printed media as well as verbal interviews with some indigenous people with whom we work to make some of our products. We feel honoured that our artisans have trusted us and shared how they are coping with the virus; they know that this article will be written and approved the release of this information.
Arhuacos, Koguis and Wiwas
For these three indigenous communities of Colombia made of over 105,000 people, the COVID-19 is the result of how “sick” is Mother Nature; for them when nature is sick, humans get sick since they are both intertwined. They perceived humans as an element of nature, not as owners. They warned us of the need to start taking better care of nature or otherwise, there will be worst problems to come in the future. Also, they advised us to stop calling the virus by its scientific name since it is believed that when we call it or even name, we are attracting it. (Garcia, 2020)
All the indigenous groups will be following the stipulated quarantine but ask the Colombian government to provide them with food during these times. They will forbid the entrance & exit to the community of everyone. Meanwhile, they are conducting rituals showing respect to Mother Nature, asking to please stop the pandemic; they focus on prays to the air element, since this carries the virus and also as this is essential for all human beings existence. All the communities understand the threat of this Virus, and they said that they are afraid of it entering their community since they are a collective society that operates in groups. (Alvares, 2020)
Wayuu
There are about 145.000 Wayuu people in Colombia, they live in an extended territory in la Guajira and represent 20% of the country’s indigenous population. The information about the pandemic came from the Colombian government, this was very vague and it focused on the message of enforcing quarantine to stop its spread. Each clan leader shared this information with their correspondent community in their local language, to make sure everyone understands it well. The Wayuu ask their god “Tata Maleiwa” to keep them safe from any danger.
For the Wayuu dreams are visions of reality and they considered themselves as spiritual warriors. They said that as the pandemic information was spreading, an elder Wayuu woman had a vision about this virus in which she was given instructions on how to combat it. She warned the Wayuu that something dangerous was coming and said they should start drinking and applying some natural remedies known in their culture for their healing properties (see the list below). Most people followed suit since in the Wayuu culture dreams are very important and have proven to work as channels of communication and wisdom. Additionally, the revelation in her dream included that they should dance their traditional dance, throw a red fabric and say: “virus go from here, you are not from here nor these lands are yours”. They should eat roasted corn while celebrating that the virus is gone.
These are the natural remedies from the women’s dream that the Wayuus are currently using:
Malanbo- This is a natural antibiotic that helps to cure headache diarrhea and body pain. They make an infusion and drink it.
Warrara- This is for a regular cold. They make an infusion and drink it.
Vija- This is used as soap when taking a shower. This is believed to be a purifier of the body and help to stabilize our bodies. They make an infusion and drink it.
Zamutapai- This is a natural antibacterial, so they use it to rub their hands, and it is given to kids and elders to hold it in their hands. It is also considered as a sacred token.
Yochon- using all the previous remedies, they make this alcohol beverage that they apply in their bodies and drink it as well during their healing rituals and praying.
Traditional dance in which they ask the virus not to come to their territory.
1) Get that item you have been considering to buy from us; we'll donate 20% of all sales to our artisans and 30% of all Wayuu Style sales. https://www.indiartscollective.com/
2) Buy a gift card! This won't expire and we'll donate 20% of all gift card sales. https://www.indiartscollective.com/products/gift-card
3) Donate to our GoFundMe campaign, 100% proceeds will be donated to our artisans: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/helping-wayuu-artisans-during-the-covid19 .
4) Share our GoFundMe Campaign (link above) so more change-makers can support our cause!
5) Referrals- if you know someone who could like our products, please send it our way.
Thank you so much for supporting our indigenous artisans!
Citations
]]>Our Wayuu artisans in La Guajira, Colombia have been very affected by the COVID-19 changes and challenges brought by this pandemic. Many people in developing countries, (including our artisans) live day to day; which means that if they don't work, they get no money and often won't afford necessities such as food and shelter.
The Colombian government recently imposed a mandatory quarantine which started on March 18th and it will go until April 13th (and possibly longer), which is a good idea for dealing with the current pandemic threat; however, they failed to consider street people or those that live day to day- how are they supposed to get by these days?. Ideally, a government should protect its citizens, but sadly this is not the case in Colombia and other developing countries.
Due to this situation, our artisans are really struggling as they can't sell much of their products these days as they usually sell them in the closest city: Riohacha where they can find clients. Since there is a quarantine, they are supposed to stay at home and they can't sell their handcrafts, which is their only source of income. They are soo desperate, that few of them stayed in the city trying to sell something... However, since most people are at home and their best clients (tourists) are not around, they can't sell much.
We wish more than anything to give extra support to our disadvantaged artisans during these tough times. Unfortunately, we are not in a financial situation to do it alone. For this reason, we came up with few options on how to fundraise money to send our artisans during these tough times.
Here are some ways how you can help us:
1) Get that item you have been considering to buy from us; we'll donate 20% of all sales to our artisans and 30% of all Wayuu Style. https://www.indiartscollective.com/
2) Buy a gift card! This won't expire and we'll donate 20% of all gift card sales. https://www.indiartscollective.com/products/gift-card
3) Donate to our GoFundMe campaign 100% proceeds will be donated to our artisans: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/covid-support-to-wayuu-and-embera-indigenous-communities-in-colombia
4) Share our GoFundMe Campaign (link above) so more change-makers can support our cause!
5) Referrals- if you know someone who could like our products, please send it our way.
PS: Checkout our Wayuu Collection this includes all our products that are 100% handmade by Wayuu artisans or using a Wayuu handwoven strap on it.
There is a mochila for every style and taste. Get yours!
Uribia is located over an hour from Riohacha, there is no bus service available within these two locations. Independent cars offer transportation services, departing from a designated area at Riohacha’s center. Scheduling travel can be tricky as the vehicles don’t leave until they are full. A one way trip Riohacha-Uribia costs $15.000 Colombian pesos/person (about $7 CAD). The road to Uribia is in the middle of a desert. It’s flat, unoccupied and there is only one small community before reaching Uribia. Enroute we saw: wild goats, cactuses, small trees, soldiers, some people selling gas on the side of the road, a lot of garbage and the Cerrejon’s freight trains (for more information about the Cerrejon, check out our blog post Indigenous Human Rights and The Ethics of Mining Natural Resources).
A few kilometers before Uribia, travelers can find connecting transportation to get to northern Guajira in one intersection. This stop give travelers an opportunity to stock up on supplies, food and drinks. Northern Guajira is the tourist area...it provides access to beautiful beaches and unique natural landscapes at Cabo de la Vela, Punta Gallinas and Las Dunas de Taroa (for more information about places to visit in the Guajira visit: https://www.viajaporcolombia.com/sitios-turisticos/la-guajira). Twelve years ago I had done a trip a trip to this area. The beauty of these places fascinated me. They seemed authentic, untouched...unique and culturally rich in a way that broadened my world view at the time.
Sign of “Welcome to Uribia” at the entrance of the town
On arrival in Uribia, the poor living conditions in the town initially raised concerns for our safety and the safekeeping of our personal belongings. Our concerns, based on a faulty correlation between poverty and crime, turned out to be unfounded. After assurances from locals that it was TOTALLY SAFE we stayed overnight and bought the Mochilas as planned from the local artisans.
The infrastructure of Uribia is rustic and in bad condition. The roads are unpaved and there is garbage everywhere. Being one of the largest cities of the region Uribia does have water and electricity, but that is not the case for many communities living in the Alta Guajira. Further, the combination of the heat, proximity to a huge coal open pit mine (the Cerrejon) and the many street gasoline vendors makes the air very toxic. The proximity to Venezuela, Venezuela’s cheap gas and the lack of financial means in this region has made the sale of gasoline a significant economic activity. Other common sources of income for inhabitants of the Guajira, are smuggling, drugs and prostitution (including child prostitution).
The town is very dirty, there is a clear need for greater education and better waste management infrastructure. It seemed common practise and acceptable to throw garbage in the streets. In speaking with the hotel manager, we learned that there are no recycling programs and the pickup of garbage is inconsistent and unreliable.
The most well maintained place in Uribia is its town square where Wayuu artisans gather to make and sell their Mochilas. On the day we visited there were approximately 40 artisans. The artisans gather daily from 8 AM until 6 PM, eager to sell and their prices are standard. Our goal was to purchase from as many artisans as possible, to distribute the profits. In the end we purchased Mochilas from 12 different artisans. As we chatted we learned more about the significance of the designs on these beautiful bags. Most artisans learned to weave as children, learning at their mothers side. Many of the artisans are extended family. They wanted us to know that our purchase doesn’t only benefit the specific artisan, but in fact, it benefits entire families and communities that are working behind the scenes to make these bags and other Wayuu products. For everyone involved in the handcrafts industry, this is a crucial economic activity and a way to incentivize their cultural survival. The tradition of weaving passes ancestral knowledge on and it is one of the very limited economic activities available to women in this community.
Artisan market in town square of Uribia
Overall, this trip left us sad and concerned about the situation in this region. Its inhabitants are extremely vulnerable, struggling to deal with the current living conditions and their many societal challenges. We are hopeful that the conditions will improve as greater awareness of the issues arises. la Guajira is a desert- it’s really dry, hot and not suitable for farming. The air quality is the worst I’ve experienced (and I have been exposed to bad air quality conditions in many places. Last year I was in Vancouver after the BC forest fires). Other impediments to progress include the lack of infrastructure, education and health institutions, limited electricity, water, poor sanitary conditions, corruption and thieving of funding for the community. These challenges also cause an alarming rate of mortality, particularly child mortality. In the last decade, a reported 4,770 Indigenous children have died from hunger in La Guajira. (Telesur, 2016)
Knowledge of this situation reinforces the importance of supporting the sustainable and clean economic option the weaving industry offers. Thriving industry could improve living conditions and encourage cultural survival. Unfortunately, the traditional weaving industry is being replaced by more profitable illegal activities such as smuggling and prostitution. Buying Mochilas and other Wayuu products and using fashion as a tool to create awareness about the plight of the Wayuu people has the potential to change their lives. Every contribution helps!
To conclude, we’d like to introduce a project we are supporting to help improve the quality of life of indigenous Colombians. In partnership with Munai, an organisation that helps address malnutrition (more info about this relationship in our blog post Colombian Indiarts & Munai- Combating Child Manutrition) we will be sponsoring a project in Nazarel, a rancheria of the northern Guajira. The goal is to introduce Moringa (a highly nutritious “super-food”) into the local diet as well as providing dietary advice to the community to combat malnutrition with long-term, customized solutions. Stay tuned for more updates on this!
Shop Wayuu Collection!
Source:
Child Malnutrition Deaths Triple in Colombia's Guajira, Telesur. (September 22, 2016) Retrieved from: https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Child-Malnutrition-Deaths-Triple-in-Colombias-Guajira-20160922-0037.html
Edited by: Kat GracieOur preferences vary based on mood, personality, and sense of style. Different people associate different feelings with certain shades but color is a consideration in conveying how we feel and behave and what we attract. (Breyer, 2015)
“Colors are a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood, and even influence physiological reactions”. (Kendra, 2018)
Product packaging often plays off these ideas. Fast food businesses typically use red, orange and yellow to benefit from their known associated appetite-stimulating energy and happiness. (Breyer, 2015)
How we associate and perceive colors:
Using colors to influence mood:
Blue- calls to mind stability, tranquility and calmness. Associated with blue skies, the ocean and smooth sailing. Further, “Blue is associated with trustworthiness, strength and dependability”. (Harrington, 2015)
Going on a first date or have your first big presentation? Take one of these blue Wayuu Mochila bags to keep calm and create the feeling of relaxation.
Blue & Grey Large Mochila I Feel Blue Large Mochila
Yellow- Related to sunshine, typically conveys a joyous, happy mood “Wearing yellow creates a very open atmosphere with people” as it is an inviting color. (Kendra, 2018)
Add this yellow coin purse to brighten up your wardrobe, help people feel at ease, and lift your mood!
Green & Yellow Wayuu Coin Purse
Red - Hot, powerful….evokes strong emotions such as fear, anger and passion, definitely an attention grabber. “We link red to passion because red is the color we exhibit on our skin when sexually interested — a red flush or blush.” “It can also increase your heart rate. It is also a stimulating color, this goes back to caveman days of fire and danger and alarm.”
Want to feel passionate? Add this red leather backpack to your outfit! (Grumman, 2013)
Green - This color is closely linked to nature and the environment, it can relax or refresh your mood. (Grumman, 2013)
Need to chill out after a stressful day? Throw your favorite snack into this mini green mochila and take it with you on a walk to the park to help you feel relaxed as you unwind.
Orange- Evokes action. “Orange is much more of a casual, active color and it is said to stimulate enthusiasm and creativity”. (Harrington, 2015)
Add one of these orange clutches to your outfit when you want to rev yourself up with positivity or channel creativity for a work project!
Orange Leather Clutch Sunrise Wayuu Clutch
Purple- is associated with royalty and luxury.
To feel confident and regal, say for a job interview, take this purple fan-covered leather bag with you! (Harrington, 2015)
Purple Fan-covered Leather Bag
Black- Black is the go-to color when you want to look more regal and formal”. (Harrington, 2015) “Black can be very elegant; it plays everything else down so you stand out; it lets you shine”. However, be careful not to wear too much black as it can be a downer and you miss out on the benefits of the other colors. (Kendra, 2018)
Feeling simple and want to wear tone down your outfit? Add any of our classic black bags like this modern Wayuu leather bag to your look.
Black & White Modern Wayuu Bag
When you choose your next outfit consider what kind of energy you want to attract to your day. Once a week, mindfully choose to wear more colors than your regular 2-3 choices. If you aren’t feeling brave enough for large bright pieces, try colourful accessories. We have some lovely choices that can be a great addition and easy alternative to add up some color to your outfit.
Color and mood are inextricably linked. We hope our quick guide to colors helps you look and feel great!
Edited by: Abby Christensen
Sources:
Breyer, Melissa. (2015). How Color Affects Your Appetite Retrieved from: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-color-affects-your-appetite.html
Grumman, Rachel. (2013). Retrieved from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/27/how-color-affects-our-moo_n_1114790.html
Satenstein, Liana. (2014). Can Wearing Bright Colors Improve Your Mood? Retrieved from: https://www.vogue.com/article/can-wearing-bright-colors-improve-mood
Kendra, Cherry. (2018) Color Psychology: Does it Affect How You Feel? Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824
How does the color of your clothes affect your mood? Retrieved from: https://brightside.me/inspiration-psychology/how-does-the-color-of-your-clothes-affect-your-mood-134155/
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Mola, is a colorful textile art form, made with the techniques of appliqué and reverse appliqué. Unfortunately due to restrictions placed on foreigners, visiting the residential parts of the island was not an option, so Carlos was unable to see the actual Mola creation process which typically takes place in the artists residence. He did have a chance to chat with them as they worked in their market stands on the island and below is the summary of the information gathered. The picture below was taken during this visit and the Kuna artisan pictured was part of this study.
Their inspiration included everyday life or commonly used objects such as chairs and nails. Nature was a common theme…animals, plants, fruits, flowers and the elements found in the nature around them. The colours used in the Molas are based on their cultural colour symbols.. For example, green is connected to water as the beaches near San Blas are green; red reflects the sunrise, orange the sun and purple the sunset, night and darkness.
It is a significant source of income for the local economy, especially important for those Kunas that live outside of urban areas. It is one of the few jobs available in their community. The monetary importance of the Molas is obvious to the Kunas as it is one of their main economic activities and crucial to sustaining local economy.
Culturally, the art of making Molas is passed from one generation to the next to ensure this tradition survives over time. The artisans are proud of their Mola artwork. Molas are part of their traditional outfit, used to decorate their blouses and skirts and they play an important role in keeping their traditional clothing as it has always been.
The Kuna artisans see selling their Molas as a business transaction. They prefer selling them to foreigners referred as “gringos” because they tend to pay them more for these than locals. They feel like they don’t understand nor care about the meaning of the Molas.
Depending on its complexity, time spent to make it, size and amount of layers of each Mola, the price is set by the maker. Generally, the more layers, bigger size and more complexity to make it the more expensive the piece. Often, if someone buys more quantity of Molas discounts are given.
Edited by: Kat Gracie.
Survey conducted by: Carlos Cortes
Thank you so much for your contribution to this study!
]]>We do not pretend to know thoroughly the history of the Gunadale (better known as Kuna people) nor of their artwork: Molas. Like many indigenous groups around the world, they have their own history, stories and beliefs that outsiders to this culture can only comprehend to a certain extend. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge we want to try introducing the significance and history of Molas while trying to explain the meaning of the Mola designs that decorate our products.
Molas’ History
“Molas have been among the Kunas since the beginning of time. According to their belief, their designs and the technique to make them were kept in the Galus, sacred places that exist in the different layers of the universe. Many Neles, (spiritual leaders of the Kunas) tried to travel to the Galus, but the scissors specialists, very beautiful women who protected them, did not allow them to enter”
“Only Nagegiryai, a woman Nele could enter. She first traveled to the galbiSabbiMolanalamaggale Galus where she saw numerous changing designs. She went and came back many times to see the painting on the trees and other changing designs at the Galus. On another trip, she arrived at the Galub Dugbis where she learned the writing of the Molas. Sitting on her hammock and combing her smooth long hair, Nagegiryai taught with her songs this writing and art to the Kuna women.” – Museo del Oro- Banco de la Republica, Bogota, Colombia.
Molas’ Meaning & Inspiration
There are two main categories for the designs of Molas:
Molas Goaniggadi is the type of Mola we can recognize the most. Talking to the Kuna women in San Blas Island in Panama who make Molas Goaniggadi, they say that they use the environment around them and sometimes also their dreams as inspiration for creating their Molas designs.
In the Gunadule (Kuna) view of the cosmos Molas Naga, consist of thirteen designs or texts arranged in the form of a large shield. The thirteen designs represent elements of nature including minerals, reeds, animals and palms. The Mola Naga is considerate as source of fertility, it is believed that this Mola protects Kuna women from any danger that could threatens them, including diseases and evil spirits. When a Kuna woman carries the Mola in her blouse, she disguises with Mother Earth, covered by trees, flowers, leaves and soils.
In the protection Molas, you can find four styles of drawing: arrows inwards and outwards, connected spirals, diagonal curves and independent modules.
The Molas in Our Products
Our products use protection Molas as decoration and as we explained before, each protection Mola has its own meaning and history.
For us is incredibly to see how the Kunas are able to keep a big part of their traditions alive by continue to elaborate Molas. We acknowledge the makers of our products so we can contribute increasing awareness around the world about them while helping this community and its artisans to gain recognition for their great artwork and culture. Finally, by buying their artwork we want to help to support the maintenance of this Kunas’ unique art form and culture, as Molas define and resemble very much their identity and worldview.
Photo from Carvajal, Ruth & Aguilar, Milton- 2012- Universidad de Antioquia
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