Description

Arhuaco Bag – Diagonal: A Sacred Medicine Bag from the Indigenous People of South America

The Arhuaco Bag – Diagonal is a beautiful artisan bag made by the Arhuaco women of the Sierra Nevada in South America. It is a symbol of the creation of all life and is knitted as a sacred activity to honor all life on earth. The bag represents the uterus of the Universal Mother and is perfect to be used as a medicine bag for your sacred herbs.

Supporting the Indigenous People of South America

At Wisdom of Plants Institute, we believe in supporting the indigenous people of South America. That’s why we traveled to the Sierra Nevada to see how we could support the Ika people who make these beautiful bags. We visited a cooperation where they had a beautiful selection of big and small mochilas available. We decided to buy the smaller ones as they are perfect to be used as medicine bags.

The Creation of Life

The mochila arhuaca, or tutu iku in Ika, is an artisan bag made by the Arhuaco women as a symbol of the creation of all life. Knitting the bag is a sacred activity to honor all life on earth. The women make it as a ceremonial work to give back to the earth what is taken out of it. The bag represents the uterus of the Universal Mother.

A Mochila usually carries indigenous drawings or representations of animals and other objects of the indigenous cosmology.

Sheep Wool

Knitting mochilas is an activity assigned exclusively to women. The materials required by the task are sheep wool, needle, and spindle. The wool is washed and dried in the sun. Subsequently, it is wound on the spindle, and finally, the bag begins to be knitted with the needle. Girls aged four and older are engaged in this practice along with their grandmothers.

The Wisdom of the Older Brothers

The Sierra Indians call themselves “the older brothers” and believe that they have a mystical wisdom and understanding that surpasses that of others. They refer to outsiders as “the younger brothers.”

The older brothers believe it is their responsibility to maintain the balance of the universe. When there are hurricanes, droughts, or famines around the world, it is said that they are the cause of human failure to keep the world in harmony.

Balance is achieved by making offerings to the sacred sites to give back to the earth what is taken out of it.

Arhuaco Bag – Diagonal Features

• Made by Arhuaco women as a symbol of the creation of all life
• Perfect size to carry around as a medicine bag for your sacred herbs
• Knitted with sheep wool, needle, and spindle
• Carries indigenous drawings or representations of animals and other objects of the indigenous cosmology
• Supports the indigenous people of South America

Order your Arhuaco Bag – Diagonal today and support the indigenous people of South America. Visit Wisdom of Plants Institute to purchase this beautiful and sacred medicine bag.