Maapulee (Colombia)
The women’s group that makes these kippot are called Maapülee and they are located in Riohacha, La Guajira in northern Colombia. They belong to the Wayuu, an indigenous group, and are perhaps best known for their mochilas, or backpacks, and hammocks, which feature bright geometric designs. Wayuu people refer to themselves simply as “Wayuu” and do not acknowledge the term “Indian,” instead preferring the term “people.” They use the terms Kusina or “Indian” to refer to other ethnic indigenous groups, while using the term Alijuna (essentially meaning “civilized”) to refer to outsiders or persons of European ancestry.
According to Wayuu legend, the skill and tradition of weaving was first learned from spiders.
