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Guajiro Culture and History (Wayuu, Guajira)

As a complement to our Guajiro/Wayuu language information, here is our collection of indexed links about the Guajiro tribe and their society.

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The emphasis of these pages is on Wayuus and other American Indians as living people with a present and a future as well as a past. Guajiro history is interesting and important, but the Guajiro Indians are still here today, too, and we try to feature modern writers as well as traditional folklore, contemporary art as well as museum pieces, and issues and struggles of today as well as the tragedies of yesterday.

Our Guajiro Websites

Guajiro Language:
    Information and language learning materials from the Guajiro/Wayuunaiki Indian language.
Wayuu Legends:
    Collection of Guajiro Indian mythology and folktales.
Facts about the Arawaks:
    Information for kids about the culture of the Arawakan tribes, including the Guajiros.

Wayuu Tribal and Community Websites

The Wayuu Taya Foundation:
    Wayuu tribal nonprofit organization promoting indigenous health, education and respect.
Museo Guajira:
    Homepage of the Guajira museum in Riohacha.

Books for sale on the Wayuu/Guajiro Indians
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these Amazon links

Wayuu: People of the Columbian Desert:
    A beautifully illustrated book on Guajiro culture and traditions.
Hermosos invisibles que nos protegen:
    Spanish-language anthology of poetry by Wayuu author Vito Apüshana.
Folk Literature of the Guajiro Indians:
    Book of Wayuu legends and traditional stories.
Colourful Wayuu Bags to Crochet:
    Illustrated book about traditional Wayuu mochila bags and how to make them.
Rio Hacha and the Goajiro Indians: * The Way of the Dead Indians: Guajiro Myths and Symbols:
    Anthropology books about Guajiro culture and spirituality.
Guajiros y Arijunas:
    Spanish-language book on the colonial history of the La Guajira peninsula.
Native American Books:
    Evolving list of books about Native Americans in general.

Maps of Guajiro/Wayuu Lands

Wayúu Native Lands:
    Map of Wayuu tribal territory in Colombia and Venezuela.
Northern Colombia Tribal Map: * Venezuela Tribal Map:
    Maps showing where in South America the Wayuu tribe and their neighbors live.

Guajiro/Wayuu Lifestyle and Tradition

The Guajiro Tribe:
    Articles on Guajiro history and culture.
The Wayúu:
    Cultural information and photographs of the Guajiro Indians.
Goajiro Tribe:
    History and culture of the Wayuu people.
Original People of the Land:
    Lifestyle of the Wayuu people in the past and today.
Gender relations and the Wayúu in La Guajira:
    Anthropology article on the roles of men and women in the Wayuu family.
Significado del Acheepa Wayuu:
    Photo gallery of Wayuu face painting patterns, with descriptions in Spanish of their history and meaning.
What does Guajira mean in Arawakan?
    Origin of the phrase "guajira guantanamera" in Cuban folk music.
Wayuu Cultural Objects:
    Museum exhibit with photographs of Wayuu artifacts.

Guajiro/Wayuu Religion and Myth

Guajiro Legends:
    Collection of Guajiro Indian mythology and folktales.
Guajiro Religion and Expressive Culture:
    Information on Wayuu religious traditions in the past and today.

Guajiro Literature, Art and Music

Contrabandeo sueños con arijunas cercanos: * Five Poems of Vito Apüshana:
    Poetry of indigenous artist Vito Apüshana, in Spanish, Wayuu and English.
Textile Arts Center: Exploring Wayúu Mochilas:
    Photoessay on the traditional Wayuu artistry of weaving mochila bags and chinchorro hammocks.
Wayuu Market: * Wayuu Mochila Bags: * Bolsos Colombianos Wayuurs:
    Wayuu indigenous artists selling woven bags, hats, baskets, mantas and other crafts.
Wayuu Hammock Chinchorros: * Hamacas Wayuu:
    Native Wayuu hammocks for sale online.
Danza Chichimaya, Baile Wayuu: * The Yonna Dance: * Músico wayuu:
    Videos and information about traditional Guajiro song and dance.
Himno nacional Venezolano en Wayunaiki: * El himno de Colombia con letra:
    The national anthems of Venezuela and Colombia sung with Wayuunaiki lyrics.

Guajiro/Wayuu Politics, Issues, and News

Indigenous Rights: The Wayuu:
    Article on the history and political situation of the Wayuu tribe.
Drought, Disease and Isolation: The Urgent Situation of the Wayuu in La Guajira, Colombia:
    News article about the harsh effects of climate change on the Wayuu people.
Cultural Survival: We Have Felt Their Insolance:
    Article from the Network of Indigenous Guayu Women about indigenous rights in Venezuela and Colombia.

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Additional Resources, Links, and References

  Wikipedia: Wayuu:
  Encyclopedia articles on the Guajiro Indians.
  Colombian Indians: * Venezuelan Indians:
  Information and links about indigenous culture in Colombia and Venezuela.
  Wayuu de La Guajira * Grupo indigena wayuu * Pueblo Guajira Wayu * Los Wayuu Venezolanos
  Los Indigenas Guajiras * Indios Guajiro * La Cultura Wayúu Para Niños * Tribu Goajira
  Information about the Guajiro tribe in Spanish.



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