Today we will deal with describing a very important area of all Wayuu “Ranchería”. This is the Wayuu kitchen.
The kitchen as a physical structure is located in the center of the ranchería, because the wayuu's life develops largely around it. This is where they prepare food. There is also, where they meet to talk and share sadness, joys, dreams and fears.
I learned something very important about cooking, and that is that the fire always stays on; because if the firewood it is not lit daily, that indicates that the house does not exist, it indicates that the house has no life.
When speaking of cuisine, we are not only referring to the physical construction, but also to the gastronomic richness, that is a tourist attraction and hub of conversation within the Guajira peninsula.
Below I will mention some foods that are mainly prepared and consumed by the indigenous population:
-A fresh corn "chicha". Drink made in ancient times in a rudimentary way. Corn was ground on a stone or with teeth. With the teeth? Yes it is! They chewed the grain with their teeth. Then they spit it into the container and then took it to the fire for cooking. This seems disgusting. However, my dear readers, I am speaking to you of the Wayuu culture in a real way, without inventions or imagination.
Today, "Chicha" is industrially prepared with a hygienic process controlled by the health authorities and is then sold on the market as a typical Colombian drink.
-The “goat friche. Goat's “friche” is a dish that is prepared on special occasions; especially in marriage celebrations, birthdays and Christmas parties. This has been a tradition in the Department of La Guajira not only for indigenous people, but also for all natives.
The "friche" is a fry that is prepared with the blood of the goat, the liver and the meat cut into small pieces.
- "Poi". Soup with beans and goat or beef bait.
- "Yajaushi". Soup "Mazamorra" prepared with cow's milk or goat's milk, corn, sugar and salt.
- "Yajá". Corn arepa.
In addition to those mentioned, the wayuu feeds on the rabbits that they hunt themselves. The main fruits in their food diet are the watermelon, the melon and the "Iguaraya".
