A Desert People of the Caribbean: The Wayuu of La Guajira, Colombia | SLICE

On the windswept Guajira Peninsula, between Colombia and Venezuela, the Wayuu people have lived for centuries in one of the harshest environments of the Caribbean. In this desert landscape where rain is rare and the sun burns relentlessly, survival depends on resilience, tradition, and a deep connection to the land. The Wayuu, also known as the Apalaanchi, have adapted to this extreme environment by combining herding, fishing, and craft traditions. Goats provide milk, meat, and wool, while the nearby sea offers another vital source of food. In Wayuu culture, weaving is far more than a craft — it is an essential tradition passed down from mothers to daughters. Women spend weeks or even months creating intricate hammocks and colorful bags that carry both practical use and cultural meaning. Unlike most societies, Wayuu culture is matrilineal: land and property are inherited through women. This unique social structure has shaped the identity of the community for generations. Isolated for centuries and never fully colonized, the Wayuu continue to protect their language, Wayuunaiki, and their traditions. In the harsh desert of La Guajira, their culture survives between sea, sand, and wind. Documentary: People of the Sea – Ep15: Colombie (2017) Directed by: Ludovic Fassard Production: Découpages & Arte France We fully own the rights to the use of the published content. Any illegal reproduction of this content will result in immediate legal action. SLICE wants to fill up your curiosity! Accessible to anyone from anywhere at any time, this channel is your weekly dose of short docs about curious facts, discoveries, astounding info, unusual stories, weird, fun and instructive. Be smart, have a slice! Subscribe now ►►► http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvziXdVCN7PMdFZEFZ6aEqQ?sub_confirmation=1 Become a fan ! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvziXdVCN7PMdFZEFZ6aEqQ/join Follow us 👇 In French: https://www.youtube.com/c/SLICEFR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slicedocs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slicedocs #documentary #slice #fulldocumentary #freedocumentary