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Between May and June, the Wayuu Culture Festival (Festival de la Cultura Wayúu) is held in Uribia, established in 1986 to preserve and promote the distinctive elements of Colombia's largest indigenous group, the Wayuu, whose population of approximately 380,000 represents about 45% of La Guajira’s total population.
During the festival, attendees—primarily Wayuu people, but also tourists and researchers from other regions of the country and the world—can enjoy craft fairs where they can view and purchase traditional "mochilas" (bags) and hammocks adorned with typical Wayuu geometric patterns, as well as palm leaf hats.
There are also food fairs where visitors can sample the popular "friche", made with goat meat and offal, as the goat is a traditional animal in this culture; "shapurana", a stew of beans and goat meat; and "chicha", a non-alcoholic beverage in this version.
One of the festival’s main events is the "Majayut de Oro, where a woman who best represents the Wayuu culture is chosen. Unlike other pageants, in the "Majayut de Oro", physical beauty is of little importance; instead, knowledge of the history and customs of the Wayuu people is essential.
Additionally, the festival includes cultural displays of traditional music and dances, where colorful traditional attire shines. The Wayuu Culture Festival (Festival de la Cultura Wayúu) is a celebration of local identity and traditions, as well as a space for intercultural exchange and dialogue.
This event strengthens the sense of community, promotes cultural tourism, and highlights the importance of cultural diversity in Colombia.
