Mochila infomation, pictures, and ordering.

Made by the Arhuaco tribe of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, high in the mountains of northern Colombia, these hand-woven bags (mochilas) are a spiritual-artisan tradition that goes back well over a thousand years. In order to escape persecution and preserve their traditional way of life, the Arhuaco, Kogi, and other native peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta took refuge in the remote areas of this mountain region. Now for the first time, these cultural treasures are veing offered in North America.
This authentic mochila Arhuaco is made with sheep’s and goat’s wool, which has been dyed, spun, and woven by hand in the traditional manner, as it has been done by these native peoples for centuries. Each of the designs depicted in the mochilas has special spiritual and cosmological significance to this amazing wisdom culture. We trust that you will appreciate this mochila that was made with such art and presence.

For furthur information and pricing click here.

mochila mochila order

Back in 1971 I was a budding archaeologist, ready to bum a ride on any dig in any place—I worked in western Iowa, in southern Illinois, and then, by a stroke of luck, I got the chance to go to Colombia. Fresh out of high school, this was my first cross-cultural experience, an eye-opening immersion in native culture. And the most incredible people I met at this time were the Arhuaco and Kogi Indians, the last vestiges of the precontact Tairona culture. These peoples awakened in me a great yearning for a humble, simple, yet deep way of life. They had an otherworldly presence about them, with their long black braids and pure white clothing. Each native person carried a mochila—a tightly woven shoulder bag decorated with mystic patterns of spiritual and cosmological significance. I obtained one of these pieces of art, and it served me as an almost magically expandable and indestructible bag for carrying my few belongings through many more adventures, while I was working and travelling through East Africa, Morocco and Belize. Finally, back in America, my mochila became a trusty companion in the garden, sometimes filled with cucumbers and edible roots, sometimes seeds. It served me well, and still does. And now by another stroke of luck, we are able to obtain these traditional mochilas and make them available to you.

mochila sage mochila maker

For furthur information and pricing click here.

We practice FAIR TRADE with indigenous peoples—your purchase of this mochila sustainably supports the Arhuaco and Kogi Indians in maintaining their artistic and spiritual traditions and chosen way of life.

Feel free to select a mochila from the images below and give us a call at (541) 846-6704 to order. Otherwise you can order online by recording the number in the "special instructions" on the checkout page of the
Horizon herbs website.