Description
These beautiful and versatile Colombian crossbody bags in black fique are made by women from the Kankuamo Indigenous Tribe in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The crossbody bags are woven from fique fibers which are processed and dyed with natural plant coloring, assuring that no one bag is identical to any other.The Kankuamos have been weaving the bags for hundreds of years, they were originally used as currency used to trade with other tribes for food, textiles and other goods. They were also a part of all rituals in their life cycle.
The bags, which are woven using ancestral techniques passed on through generations, are of sacred importance to the Kankuamo people as their pattern represents the story of the origin of the world. Each bag is a gift, made by hand in a process that can take up to a week and which fewer and fewer of the younger members choose to participate in.
After many years in which violence threatened their existence and religious shame inclined them towards abandoning their traditions, the Kankuamo have decided to claim back their customs and through the mochilas, share it with the world.
Each fique crossbody bag promotes the Kankuamo, their culture, and ensures their survival.
MATERIAL: 100% natural fibers from fique plant
COLORS: Black
PATTERN STYLE: solid
FABRICATION: 100% handwoven.
ORIGIN: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia – South America.
DIMENSIONS: L 31” x W 13” x H 14” – L 79 cm x W 33 cm x H 36 cm
SHOULDER DROP: 17” – 43 cm
CLOSURE TYPE: Slip-on
STRAP TYPE: cross body strap
LINING DESCRIPTION: no lining
OCCASION LIFESTYLE: woven, casual
SPECIAL FEATURES: Tassels
WEIGHT: 7 oz – 198 grams.
BRAND: Kiskadee Design (Registered Trademark) – Ethical and sustainable accessories. Each of our pieces contributes to helping women and members of various indigenous communities in the countries of origin.
Jake Politte (verified owner) –
I use natural fiber mochilas all the time when traveling and trekking.
Very good price on this mochila, good construction, nice and tight. Ample room for everything (water bottle, phone, etc.). Decent strap length.
One thing to point out … the plant dye is not colorfast. Found out after snow hitting it and the color bled. I just soaked it overnight and rinsed it well, color will go lighter, but … it gets very soft and pliable, like fabric .. which is good!
Elaine (verified owner) –
Very elegant! The material and style make it much more attractive than a usual tote bag. I bought it in winter for spring & summer and am sure I’ll get alot of use out of it.