Bogotá – What colorful history lies behind the name of “people of the sun, sand, and wind?” From the people’s distinct language, culture, and heritage, there is no doubt that the Wayuu indigenous group of Columbia and Venezuela live up to their name.
The Wayuu people belong to the largest indigenous population in Columbia. They have been living in La Guajira since their departure from the Amazon rainforest about 2000 years ago. In those times, the people had to escape the unfavorable environments of the rainforest. This certain history made them the people of the sun, sand, and wind.
La Guajira as Home
In the northeastern state of Colombia, there lies the La Guajira, which has served as home to the Wayuu throughout the years. The region is a massive area of desert alongside dune-lined coasts. Such a place can sound like an inhospitable territory, and yet the Wayuu people see the land as their home. It further strengthens the history behind their saying that “it is only from strong sunlight and harsh rains, that a seed can sprout.”
Despite migrating from the Amazon to La Guajira, the Wayuu people have passed on their traditions, rituals, and language through generations. They kept their identity alive and intact.
Culture and Lifestyle
The Wayuu people are traditionally semi-nomadic, organized into matriarchal families and clans. The women take leadership roles both at home and for the clan. The Wayuu is a famous warrior tribe. Their people put up resistance to the Spanish conquistadors, English pirates, and other outsiders.
The members of the community live in small, dispersed huts called rancherias made from cactus or palm-leaf-thatched roofs. Then, the sturdy yotojoro (mud, hay, or dried cane) serves as the walls of the Wayuu homes. Inside these huts, the furniture is simple, such as a hammock for sleeping and a small fire pit for cooking.
In the past, the people lived on farming and pearl diving for those living in coastal communities. Moreover, the people have passed on knowledge in various crafts and cultural practices. The people have a rich set of legends, myths, and stories that have molded close connections to their beliefs, traditions, and customs.
One other significant aspect of their culture and identity is that of their language, the Wayuunahi. The communities have kept the language alive as they passed down their stories, philosophies, and important traditional symbolism. The female leaders of the clans became responsible members in doing such actions. Thus, women taught children to weave, to tell the stories of their people, and to further hone such skills to become great artisans. In such practice, both children and adults place intricate designs on their crafts that are derived from the Wayuu people’s ancient beliefs and ceremonial traditions.
However, even with such cultural efforts, the present state of the environment threatens the lives and the culture of the Wayuu. Harsh conditions brought about by climate change are draining the people of the communities. The Wayuu are now facing social, economic, and environmental challenges that they hopefully can surpass. After all, they are the people of the sun, sand, and wind.
Image from Roxanne Desgagnés, https://unsplash.com/@roxannedesgagnes
