Vetana: An Art-healing of the Body-territory from the Feminine in Design

The following lines highlight the inspiring process behind the Vetana Research-Creation Project, which aims to explore the cultural identity of Vetas (Santander), a Colombian municipality considered the highest (3350 meters above sea level) and one of the oldest in the country with over 450 years of history. It serves as a backdrop to address the lack of recognition towards local women inhabitants/creators. The project focuses on investigating the absence of recognition for these women, deeming them essential in transmitting and preserving traditional artisanal skills. However, their value extends beyond this, emphasizing the appreciation of their role in society, particularly from the perspective of the body-territory. Through co-design methodologies, the initiative seeks to acknowledge and value the crucial role of Vetana women in shaping the cultural identity of their territory. The creation of co-creative spaces is proposed, such as participatory workshops, fostering the participatory engagement of these women in the quest for their identity through dialogue, traditional knowledge, and the need to establish these spaces as social and cultural alternatives for future generations.