Rubén Darío Agudelo

Leatherworker

©Artesanías de Colombia

The carriel maker

Rubén learned the craft from his father
He creates colourful saddlebags, known as carriel
These keepsake pieces were traditionally the carrier of stories

Rubén Darío Agudelo is a guarnilero, which is a type of artisan who specialises in making carriels, the traditional Colombian saddlebags. The carriel tells the story of the muleteer, the conqueror and the walker, in one piece. If you go to Pueblito Paisa, a reproduction that showcases how the small traditional villages were in the region of Antioquia in the 1800s, you can start to understand the history of the carriel saddlebags. At this time, there was only the railroad along the border between Antioquia and Cauca, men rode on horseback and were away from home for months and months. Inside their carriels, they would keep aguardiente (a national beverage), tobacco, needles, nails, letters, the Rosary, a notebook, a knife and much more.

Interview

©Artesanías de Colombia

©Artesanías de Colombia

Did you learn from a master?: I inherited this trade from my father, the master Darío Agudelo, the eldest guarnilero in Colombia. I observed him in his workshop cutting the leather and sewing. One day, he invited me and my siblings, and he taught us, with love and patience, the techniques of this craft.
When and how did you actually start?: First, I learned to sew the riatas (straps), then to spread glue, and as I grew older, to cut and sew leather. At 17 I discovered the secrets of guarnielería and since then, I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to this traditional craft.
How do you plan to preserve the craft?: Like my father, I have also made an effort to instill in my brothers, nephews and sons the techniques that I am passionate about: carving, painting and embossing on leather, so that my family tradition endures over time.
What do people not know about your craft?: My father has always been my source of inspiration, that's why when he won the Craftsmanship Mastery Medal, in 1987, I wanted to win it one day too. With effort and dedication, I obtained it: the highest recognition that exists in Colombia for artisans.

Rubén Darío Agudelo is a master artisan: he began his career in 1978 and he started teaching in 2008