Preserving an entire community's traditions
Whoever thought that Cecilia Acosta’s legacy would die with her in 2021 was mistaken. Cecilia, founder of Iwouyaa, dedicated her life to teaching everything she knew as a Wayuú woman. She worked to maintain the tradition and connection of her community to the land by weaving the yarn of life, a skill she learnt as a child. Later, she taught her own daughters Ixela, Blanca and Ángela, and many other women, who are now the experienced craftswomen who continue to weave with acrylic cotton to make chinchorro hammocks, clothes on the loom, and knots and cords to craft mochilas.
Cecilia studied tourism and led craft and ethno-tourism projects, such as Iwouyaa. In the 1990s she founded a school called El Paraiso with the purpose of educating Wayúu children in their language, their traditions and crafts, and their history. The project that started with only seven children, today has 11 schools that teach 1 500 children, from preschool to 17 years of age. The Iwouyaa legacy is upheld now by Cecilia's daughters, and Ixela is especially committed to this task.
Where
Iwouyaa
