An ancestral magical realism transmedia universe designed as a cultural representation model of the Wayuu worldview across interactive digital media. Awarded first place at the 2025 Premios Huella, the project weaves together video games, mixed realities, animation, audio stories, and web platforms to foster incidental learning in youth aged 16 to 24 while providing authentic representation for the Wayuu community.
Context and Communication Strategy
The project originated from identifying a structural gap in Colombian digital entertainment, where the visibility of Wayuu culture has remained relegated to academic contexts or superficial representations. Tejesueños translates ancestral knowledge and Wayuu mythology from academic language into an ecosystem of interactive experiences and contemporary narratives. Through research-creation, mythological tales about the origin of the world, spirits, and traditions are articulated with gameplay dynamics and technological immersion.
Transmedia Universe Structure and Narrative System
Built as a system of ten interconnected products hosted on the central platform (tejesuenos.online), Tejesueños explores different historical eras and spiritual dimensions of the Wayuu worldview:
• Interactive Video Games: Shiliwala (a 3D narrative auto-battler for Android/PC centered on protecting the Majayut fertility rite), Lapü (a 3D open-world video game featuring world-switching mechanics, combat, and clan exploration), and Apüushi (a VR interaction shooter for Meta Quest 2).
• Virtual Reality & Immersive Experiences: Achonwaa (a VR experience on Meta Quest 2 focused on women's roles, daily life, and life stages) and a Physical Map with Augmented Reality to explore the geographical settings of La Guajira.
• Audiovisual & Audio Production: Wale'kerü (a 360° 2D animation detailing the origins of weaving), El Origen del Todo (a 2D animation combined with live holographic mapping), and Audio Short Stories on Spotify exploring key deities (Maleiwa, Juya, Pulowi, Wanülu).
• Web Platform & Territorial Mapping: A central web portal hosting the Transmedia Bible, a virtual interactive map of La Guajira territory, and descriptive wikis covering characters and myths.
Methodology, Pedagogical Assessment, and Fieldwork
Development followed a rigorous research-creation framework backed by literature reviews and direct validation with members of the Wayuu community (such as Professor Valkis Bernie) to ensure symbolic integrity, ethical respect, and avoidance of stereotypes. To evaluate educational value and incidental learning, an operational testing plan was designed and implemented through focus groups with students aged 16 to 18 from Instituto San Carlos de La Salle, utilizing initial diagnostic surveys, guided interaction sessions, and post-evaluations to measure cultural retention and identity perception.
