Wayuu women learn the art of crocheting these bags at an early age and legends say that Wayuu women were originally taught to weave and create these complex patterns in their designs to mirror the webs created by a spider-like deity Wale ´Kerü. Plenty of thought goes into each mochila as the weaver takes care in creating an elaborate design that reveals a story.
The Wayuu designs are called Kaanas (the art of weaving design) This ancestral technique goes back to the pre-columbian period and is embedded in several traditional woven items.
The traditional motifs of 'kanaas' are the most authentic expression of the way Wayuus interpret elements of their material world and daily life. 'Kanaas' are used to create stylized figures of great symbolism; amongst them, the major highlights are tortoise shells, donkeys genitals and star constellations.
These kanaas are geometrical compositions that repeat themselves along with the patterns repertoire; each one receives a name that expresses its meaning.