The arrieros are Colombia’s last muleteers, historically a driving force behind the country’s social, economic, and cultural development. Although roads and trucks now dominate transportation, the figure of the arriero and his mules remains alive in the collective imagination and in some regions where this tradition still persists strongly.
Arrierios: The muleteers of Colombia
Muleteering has been practiced in Colombia since at least the 18th century, when mules were the only means to transport goods between scattered, hard-to-reach villages.
In an interview with Colombia One, an arriero shared: “Arrieria (muleteering) has been a business of transportation and communications. In the past, there were no roads, no cables, no railways, none of that. The only means of transport were mules and the arrieros. Arriería has been of great importance for the economic, social, and cultural development of our country, of our Colombia.”
Muleteers became Colombia’s silent heroes. These men and women were capable of traveling for entire days under the sun, rain, or cold, carrying coffee, panela (unrefined cane sugar), milk, corn, and other products that supplied markets and fed cities. Without them, the expansion and consolidation of many Colombian towns would not have been possible.
The Arriero and his symbols
Each arriero carries a series of essential items that form part of his identity and culture. Their outfit includes alpargatas (traditional sandals), a protective apron known as a tapapinche, and a wide belt used to prevent hernias when lifting heavy loads. This belt also serves to carry essential tools: a comb, a rope, a knife, and a flashlight. The white hat, usually from Aguadas, is indispensable, as are the mulera (shoulder cloth) and the carriel, a typical leather satchel from Antioquia. The original carrieles had only one pocket, but over time they evolved to models with up to five compartments, adapted to the arriero’s needs.
A tradition still alive in Colombia
Although modernity has transformed the way goods are transported in Colombia, arrieria is still practiced in several regions, especially in the Coffee Axis (Quindio, Caldas, Risaralda) and in the Antioquia department. There, the figure of the arriero remains alive thanks to families committed to preserving this heritage.
In these areas, festivals and parades are held where adults and children proudly participate. In conversations with Colombia One, an arriero expressed with nostalgia and hope: “We are already on our way out, so they should continue the tradition, not let it die.”
The wish of the most experienced arrieros is that new generations learn to value this culture and keep it alive. Many parents teach their children from a young age how to guide mules, prepare the loads, and understand the value of patience and respect for animals and the trails.
Arrieria in Colombia is not just a memory of the past; it is a living legacy that connects the mountains with the towns and Colombians with their deepest history. Among trails and mules, Colombia’s identity continues to ride proudly, proving that although times change, some traditions deserve to be protected and celebrated forever.