Rio Hacha and the Goajiro Indians

The Guajira peninsula is rich in tales and mystic places from the Wayuu mythology. The tales address questions like: Where do the Wayuu come from? How did the Wayuu learn their weaving technique? Where do the clan symbols come from? What happens after death?

Maleiwa — The Creator

It is said that Maleiwa (pronounced "Mareiwa") is the creator of the Wayuu. No one has ever seen her. Many different tales exist about her. It is said she lives in the Macuira mountains in the far north of the peninsula.

Pulowi — The Water Spirit

Indigenous people all over the Guajira peninsula tell stories about places said to have a Pulowi living there. A Pulowi is a female spirit associated with places related to water — lakes, rivers, or beaches — where somebody has died. The Wayuu avoid bathing or spending the night at those places. It is very likely that you will encounter a Pulowi story while travelling the Guajira peninsula.

Piedra Wolunka

The Wolunka rock is located at the Macuira mountains close to Nazareth. "Wolunka" is the name of a girl who was the daughter of the rain and the earth. According to Wayuu mythology, an incident at this rock is the reason why women menstruate. The rock remains a place of cultural significance.

Jepira — The Land of the Dead

Jepira is a hill at Cabo de la Vela. The Wayuu believe that Jepira is the place where the souls of the dead travel after life. The hill is also called "Sugar Loaf" due to its bright colour. Today, there is a Maria statue on top of Jepira — a visible sign of how ancient Wayuu beliefs have been displaced by western missionaries.

The Rock of Aalas

It is said that Maleiwa sent the wise man Uutta to gather the Wayuu families at the Rock of Aalas in the Jalala mountains. A lightning bolt hit the rock and burned symbols into the stone. From that day on, every Wayuu family has been identified by their symbol, used to mark animals and in art.

Piedra del Destino — The Destiny Rock