The creation of a mochila is a traditional process by the Arhuaco women. It’s their way of writing their story, therefore each mochila has a different pattern with a meaning, mostly related to the nature and surroundings of the Sierra Nevada. The Arhuaco women put their thoughts into every stitch they make. It’s for this reason that every mochila is unique, and can’t be reproduced.
How product is made
The creation of one mochila is a long process, which takes up to 3 months. The first step is to create the yarn from agave plant. After they open the plant and take the fibers, the spinning can be done in two ways: spinning by hand with an huso (a traditional spinning tool) or rolling on the thigh without the use of any tools. The agave fiber in its natural state can vary from nearly snow white to banana yellow. Plant dyes are used to achieve a wide range of colors including pink, purple, gray, yellow and orange. The agave straps are fingerwoven without the use of any tools. This rigorous method requires firm concentration: any misstep will show up later in the strap.
How to use
Agave is strong, versatile and sustainable. The traditional bags are made for a lifetime. The agave fiber is very strong, so in the beginning the mochila can feel stiff. The more you use your mochila, the smoother it becomes. We recommend hand washing with mild soap and cold to lukewarm water.
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