News

10.01.2023

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

According to the UN, indigenous peoples are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in the world. There are an estimated 370 million people who call themselves indigenous worldwide. Although they make up less than 5 percent of the world’s population, they are among the 15 percent of the poorest. Their cultural diversity is great. […]

10.01.2023

Popup Bohemia!

The non-profit organization Mama Tierra organizes a 6-week popup between February 15th and March 29 at Dorfstrasse 19 in Küsnacht, under the motto «Bohemia». The popup offers everything the bohemian heart desires! From elegant scarves and leather goods to ethnic bags and matching romantic dresses to colorful home accessories. The brands exhibiting are ATELIER AVANZAR, […]

10.01.2023

Challenging times for Wayuu due to COVID-19

People around the world are feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While governments lock their populations down to contain the virus, these measures accentuate the already adverse situation in which indigenous peoples live. Enduring an economic shutdown is challenging for Wayuu indigenous, who depend on informal commerce, pastoral activities and petty commodity production for […]

10.01.2023

Mama Tierra at Neonyt!

Mama Tierra presented at Neonyt their new handbag and camera strap collection. These accessories are part of the «Terra» collection consisting of pineapple leaves processed into eco-leather by Pinatex, whose stable leaf fibres offer an equivalent substitute for animal leather. Some straps are made of yarn obtained from recycled PET bottles – no less than […]

10.01.2023

Study about the Wayuu people in Colombia

Excerpt of the Master thesis «Impact of Desertification on the Livelihood and Health of the Wayuu People of the La Guajira Department, Colombia» by Douglas Fernandes Gomes DaSilva – University of Zurich: Scientific studies show that indigenous groups suffer from high poverty rates due to isolation and marginalization, low levels of education and high rates […]

15.12.2022

The Isashii Collection 2021

The designs based on social anthropological research Inspired in the rich nature and oral traditions from the Wayuu people in the La Guajira desert between Colombia and Venezuela. The Isashii Collection combines modern elements with those from the mythology of the Caribbean Wayuu people, who craft the luxurious Mama Tierra accessories.

15.12.2022

Verbotenes Kulturerbe und Othering

Die Stadt Zürich hat entschieden, im Jahr 2021 wo möglich Inschriften an städtischen Liegenschaften, die das Wort «Mohr» enthalten, im Niederdorf zu entfernen. Der Entscheid entfachte eine teils hitzige Debatte über Rassismus im Zürcher öffentlichen Raum. Der Zürcher Stadtrat begründet seinen Entscheid wie folgt: «Hausfassaden mit rassistischen Zeichen oder Namen konfrontieren heute Direktbetroffene mit bestehendem […]

05.10.2022

Logo 2021

Our first logo from 2014 was made by Coral Hernandez Finol. As an illustrator, Coral worked for brands like Betsey Johnson, Santoro London, Puig and Zara. She has developed her passion for the indigenous people in her hometown of Maracaibo. A place with the densest indigenous people in the north of South America. The brief was […]

05.10.2022

Things to consider before buying Wayuu bags

According to the NY-Times, ethno bags had already reached high popularity in 2011. Why? It goes back to 2001, when the Venezuelan model Patricia Velazquez, starring in the movie The Mummy, gifted Wayuu bags to her colleagues on set. The success of the model of indigenous roots was great. Patricia founded the Wayuu-Taya foundation in […]

01.10.2022

The NATURA Collection 2022

Nature has inspired Mama Tierra to create its current collection called NATURA. The everyday pieces highlight Mother Earth’s peaceful, romantic, and yet sophisticated facets. This collection brings a sense of joy and optimism awakening love bonds towards nature. Award-winning designer Patrizia Stalder created the designs reflecting organic energy, fragility but also balance. This collection is a fun but […]