Is There Such A Thing As Fake Wayuu Bags?

When I first started selling Wayuu bags on Lombia + Co., I was buying in Usaquen and there were all sorts of rumors about fake Wayuu bags. Vendors were telling me that other vendors in the Sunday market were selling fake Wayuu bags and beware.

Some even said that in the very region of la Guajira where Wayuu bags are made, fake bags were being sold.

But of course, this is Colombia, the land of BS, and I eventually learned to sniff out the lies.

After three years of being in business with Lombia + Co. my Wayuu bag shop, I feel confident enough to share my knowledge about the fake Wayuu bags that are supposedly being produced.

Fake Wayuu bags made in China

That is the ultimate fear, no? The Chinese are so good at reproducing everything, that rumor was said that they were even copying Wayuu bags.

Truth: I have seen fake Wayuu bags from China on Alibaba. From the pictures, the designs are different and the inside is poorly stitched up. But using your common sense, don’t buy Wayuu bags from the Chinese when you know they are produced in La Guajira!

Wayuu bags made in Medellin

Medellin is the textile heaven of Colombia. It was said that large factories were reproducing Wayuu bags and that these fake Wayuu bags were being sold amongst the real one in the markets.

Truth: I personally think this is a load of BS as it would have been a huge scandal amongst the Wayuu community.

So what about the bags that feel really loose and soft?

You will notice that something Wayuu bags feel much softer and can’t stand on their own. This does not mean they are a fake.

The looseness and softness of the bag depends on the quality of the thread and the tension of the woman who crocheted the Wayuu bag.

A looser and more foldable bag means the woman used less tension when crocheting.

There are all types of rumors out there to try and scare the customer into buying and trying to find a reputable Wayuu seller.

If you’re looking to buying a Wayuu bag, don’t worry about fakes. In my three years in business I have yet to see a fake Wayuu bag.

And as always, if you’re interested in buying a Wayuu bag, be sure to check out my Wayuu bag e-shop!