Public Project
Guardians of the heart of the world: Bunkwamuke
Ethno-education is a fundamental pillar in the preservation of the cultural identity of the Arhuacos, an ancestral indigenous people who inhabit the imposing Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia, the highest coastal mountain in the world. Also known as Iku, the Arhuacos consider this sacred territory as the “Heart of the World”. Their connection to the Sierra dates back to Spanish colonization, when they took refuge in the higher elevations to protect their culture and way of life. Today, this space remains vital and symbolizes the balance between human life and the cosmos. Ethno-education, through practices adapted to their worldview such as the oral transmission of knowledge and learning in contact with nature, strengthens their ethnic identity and helps them face contemporary challenges such as the defense of their territories and the environment.
Despite its relevance, ethno-education faces significant challenges, such as lack of resources and government support, which hinder its implementation in the most remote Arhuaca communities. The influence of Western culture, extractive activities and the armed conflict in their territory constantly threaten their identity and traditional values. However, for centuries the Arhuacos have cultivated a harmonious relationship with nature, the care of which remains an essential aspect of their daily lives, reflecting their deep commitment to the preservation of the natural environment. The Sierra Nevada is not only home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, but also plays a crucial role in the region's climate regulation, reaffirming its importance to the Arhuacos and their role as guardians of this sacred landscape they have inhabited for centuries.
Project underway since 2020
#ongointheproject Guardianes del Corazon del Mundo/ Resguardo Indigena Arhuaco BunkwamukeLa Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta es el hogar de un pueblo que se resiste a una colonización sin identidad.
Carlosmarioparrarios.medium.com
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