Friends of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Raising awareness, solidarity and support for an indigenous program to protect traditional territory and sacred sites in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. [Please visit: www.corazondelmundo.org]

This unique region, the world’s highest coastal mountain, is the sacred territory of the Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo. Recovery of the natural and cultural spaces of their territory is a critical first step in guaranteeing the future survival of these indigenous people. It is also the surest way to guarantee the conservation and regeneration of the natural biodiversity and the restoration of the ecosystem that nurtures and provides the water resources that so many depend on.

According to the indigenous worldview, the Sierra Nevada is the body of the ‘mother’ (universe). Their traditional territory is bounded by a series of sacred sites around the lower parts of the mountain, and between the sea and the snow-capped peaks. They believe that the health of the entire planet depends on the health of the Sierra Nevada. It is the Corazon del Mundo, the Heart of the World.

It is an open book where we learn about its stories and past, and this is what our children and future generations will learn.  That same knowledge allows us to remember the role of our ancestors, and the real meaning of each individual and their mission as a human responsible for caring for the planet that is threatened when the sense of responsibility is abandoned.” 

(Mama Jacinto, Kogi Indian).