The Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta have defended themselves against incursions by Capuchin missionaries and illegal armed groups in Colombia’s long-running civil conflict. They would rather focus on preventing and repairing damage to Mother Earth.
The customs of the Arhuacos were declared an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in November, along with those of three other indigenous communities in the Sierra Nevada of northern Colombia: the Kogui, the Wiwa and the Kankuamo.
“The recognition is very important, but it will be much more important that Mother Earth, the space where we exist, be respected and preserved,” said Zarwawiko Torres, Arhuaco leader. That would include preventing mines and dams on his land, he said.
The Arhuacos follow the Law of Origin as their guide of behavior and spiritual knowledge, in how they coexist with Mother Nature. “The water must have its own channel, the stones must exist in their own space. She respects me and I respect her,” Torres said.
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The Arhuacos follow the Law of Origin as their guide of behavior and spiritual knowledge, in how they coexist with Mother Nature. In the photo, the Arhuaco brothers.
(AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)
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They live in scattered groups in the Sierra Nevada, which rises from the Caribbean coast and in its highest parts has snow-capped mountains, lagoons and moors. Their traditional white robes woven from sheep’s wool represent snow and their conical hats represent snowy peaks.
The Arhuacos define themselves as a peaceful people who do not use weapons and are prohibited from murdering or stealing.
In his opinion, plants, stones, animals and the Sierra Nevada itself are living beings.
“If they killed Sierra, we wouldn’t have life,” Torres said.
