The Arhuacos of Colombia yearn for harmony with Mother Nature

The Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta repelled incursions by Capuchin missionaries and illegal armed groups from Colombia’s long civil conflict. They would rather focus on preventing and repairing damage to Mother Earth.

The ways of the Arhuacos were declared 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.

“Recognition is very important, but it will be much more important that Mother Earth – the space where we exist – is respected and preserved,” said Zarwawiko Torres, an Arhuaco leader. This would include preventing mines and dams on their land, he said.

The Arhuacos follow the original law as a guide for behavior and spiritual knowledge, in how they live with Mother Nature. “Water must have its own channel, stones must exist in their own space. It respects me and I respect it,” Torres said.

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The Arhuacos follow the original law as a guide for behavior and spiritual knowledge, in how they live with Mother Nature. Pictured are the Arhuaco siblings.
(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 tunics woven from sheep’s wool represent the snow and their cone-shaped hats the snow-capped peaks.

The Arhuacos define themselves as a peaceful people who do not use weapons and have no right to kill or steal.

According to them, plants, stones, animals and the Sierra Nevada itself are living beings.

“If the Sierra was killed, we would have no life,” Torres said.