Illuminating traditions
/Wayuu Lighting collection
/about.
Illuminating Traditions is a lighting collection that fuses contemporary design with the rich textile legacy of the Wayuu people of northern Colombia. Each lamp integrates handwoven straps created by Wayuu artisans, transforming cultural storytelling into a tangible and functional design object. This project is both a celebration of craftsmanship and a mission to create sustainable impact by connecting tradition to the world of modern interiors.
/the Wayuu Community
A culture rooted in beauty, living in scarcity
The Wayuu people inhabit La Guajira, a region abundant in natural resources — yet face devastating poverty. Despite living near oil fields and coal mines, many Wayuu children die of malnutrition, lacking access to clean water, healthcare, and stable income. Their land generates wealth for others, while their community is left behind. At the same time, their intricate woven textiles — traditionally crafted by women in this matriarchal society — risk being lost in a world moving rapidly toward mass production and digital culture.
“Our children are dying of hunger in a place where resources flow out of the ground. It’s a cruel paradox.”
— Wayuu community leader, The Guardian
How can we use design to help?
Design has the power to connect worlds.
By recontextualizing Wayuu textiles in the realm of lighting, we give their craft global visibility. We transform what was once viewed only as a traditional artifact into a modern, functional piece of design — one that invites people not only to admire its beauty but to participate in a story of cultural preservation and support.
This is more than a product. It’s a bridge. A dialogue. A quiet invitation to be part of something meaningful.
