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For every handwoven carrier she sells throughout the tree-bordered promenade of this Caribbean city, a local craftswoman considers that she's sharing an element of her heritage

Historically employed exclusively by this indigenous community, the most numerous native community in the South American country, these purses - called woven carriers - currently stand as a fundamental item nationwide, and popular with overseas travelers

In present times these products are likewise increasingly sold in global boutiques, displayed during design exhibitions internationally, and listed on services including online marketplaces and social media - reaching buyers who may never have traveled to the country

"Thanks to digital content, foreign tourists are growing quite informed concerning the woven bag," the craftswoman says. "They identify and value its heritage significance"

Cultural Heritage alongside Financial Situation

Fiber artistry has traditionally stood as central to the native population, who number around 380,000 nationwide

They have lived for centuries on the arid coastal region of La Guajira in the northern region of the country, and extend into bordering Venezuela

Techniques are passed down through generations, with geometric patterns on many mochilas representing community affiliation, religious belief, and environmental elements

Fiber artistry is additionally a vital source of income in La Guajira, Colombia's second-poorest province, where two-thirds of inhabitants live in poverty

For the craftswoman, both national bag sales and overseas trade have enhanced circumstances throughout her native settlement including multiple families, and allowed her family members to study at college

International Interest together with Regional Difficulties

But while the expanding international market has bettered chances for particular artisans, it has additionally generated challenges

Many artisans experience taking advantage, and apprehensions remain that heritage techniques are being compromised for quick output and economic benefit

Various native artisans - supported by ethically-minded businesspeople - are working to access better overseas opportunities and advance the mochila's cultural value

Values for traditional carriers range widely

• A standard simpler bag - created using elementary motifs and weaving techniques - can be found nationwide costing about 20 USD - periodically lower
• Superior bags usually open at around $80 and can rise to numerous hundred USD, depending on the weaving time, detail of the motif

Traditionally, bags were created through extended periods, yet growing market caused numerous artisans to create quicker methods, making elementary motifs over a few days

Business Ventures combined with Commercial Realities

For Colombian entrepreneur one business founder, compliments on the traditional purse she was employing while traveling overseas sparked a business idea

She founded bag business the enterprise back in 2013

"Digital platforms were emerging, and the enterprise started growing," she comments

Ms Chica says she focuses on superior carriers featuring ancestral motifs and elements

These purses reflect the artisans' skills, time, and tradition, for which they obtain appropriate payment, she says

Her brand has appeared in publications, including global style publications, and displayed in worldwide design exhibitions and premium commercial locations throughout various global cities

Dual Markets together with Commercial Circumstances

Yet does she consider the growing recognition of the bags has proven advantageous for the native population?

For Ms Chica, that significantly hinges upon what commercial channel you examine

"Various enterprises, and those interested in the narrative surrounding the creation method, that want to keep sharing it with the world," she comments

She continues that these provide a market for customers who appreciate traditional artistry, ecological awareness and fair trade, and accept increased costs

However not every artisan have managed to reach approaches to partner with such enterprises that provide appropriate payment, comments the businesswoman

Instead she says that various need to utilize a parallel market where quick production, business and income are focused on, that weakens earnings and the excellence of the work

Commercial Challenges

In Riohacha's Mercado Nuevo - an intricate commercial space overflowing with bright kiosks selling yarn, chinchorros and traditional carriers - a group of women works on the hard surface, working

They state that middlemen, or brokers, could present them only five dollars fifty per carrier, however following payment for thread and transport, they typically receive only $1.50 - excluding the time spent weaving

Various native artisans come from countryside, distant settlements where only Wayuunaiki - {the Wayuu language|the