Knitting Mochilas: A Sociocultural, Developmental Practice in Arhuaco Indigenous Communities

Authors

  • Lilian Patricia Rodríguez-Burgos
    Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
  • Jennifer Rodríguez-Castro
    Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
  • Sandra Milena Bojacá-Rodríguez
    Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
  • Dwrya Elena Izquierdo-Martínez
    Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
  • Allain Alexander Amórtegui-Lozano
    Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia
  • Miguel Angel Prieto-Castellanos
    Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Colombia

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the psycho-cultural processes involved in knitting “mochilas” (traditional bags), a common craft in the Arhuaco indigenous community located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. The article is structured in three parts, as follows: first, issues related to child development are discussed; then, the analysis method used to study the processes involved in the practice of knitting is presented and, finally, we reflect on the importance of recovering the sense and meaning of this everyday practice as a way to study child development.