Projects Supported by The Elders Project

Mamo Jose Gabriel Alimako, Kogui Leader 

Kogui Elders: As the indigenous group of the Sierra who are keepers of a large part of the collective knowledge of the Law of Origin, the Kogui feel a special responsibility to assist the other three pueblos in the recuperation of lost knowledge and ceremonies, such as the Taní ritual dance (below).

TEP will be supporting various activities proposed by the Kogui Elders to assist the Kankuamo, Wiwa and Arhuaco pueblos in the recovery of lost knowledge.  This is an essential part of TEP’s mission.

Revival of the Tani Dance: The Mamos consider the Tani dance to be a most important and fundamental part of their spiritual work and it’s recovery essential for the continuance and strengthening of the traditional practices.  This sacred dance was banned by the Capuchin evangelicals and has not been performed for over fifty years in Arhuaco territory.  The Kogui are presently working with the Arhuaco people to reinstate this ritual. 

In the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, each pueblo has its own government, which is obliged to care for it’s territory.  A government for the whole of the Sierra Nevada is also needed.  The realization of this central government arises through the Tani dance, which must be performed by the four pueblos, something that has not been done for many years.

Initial funding for this project has been secured.  More funding will be needed in 2011 to help the Wiwa and Kankuamo in the process of recovering this dance.

Benerexa Márquez, Arhuaco leader

Guatiyina Iku (Arhuaco Women’s Project):  According to Benerexa Márquez, the importance of women in relation to “The Law of Origin” cannot be overstated, as they represent our Mother Earth.  The past few generations of Arhuaco women who attended the state-imposed evangelical mission schools, have been discouraged from participating in their traditional spiritual work.  Today, Arhuaco women, under the guidance of Benerexa and the elders, are committed to studying and reassuming their responsibilities of harmonizing and balancing the energy of “The Heart of the World”.  Benerexa hopes that this project will open up a greater understanding of the relationship between “The Law of Origin” and those principles that serve as a basis for human rights.

Sequinkuta: Apprentice Mamo learning to weave a traditional hat under the guidance of an elder Mamo.

Training of apprentices:  While most of the children are pressured into public education that weakens their ties to the teachings of the elders, eight young boys have chosen to   train with the Mamos of Sequinkuta.

The education of these apprentices is crucial to the continuance of the traditional practices of the four pueblos of the SNSM.

Mamo Mayor Zäreymakú (Juan Marcos Pérez) Arhuaco Leader, (d. 2007)

Archiving and publication of the words of the Elders:  TEP is committed to assisting the Mamos in collecting the seeds of knowledge that remain alive in the surviving Mamos of advanced age. All of the material gathered will be for the internal archives of the four pueblos for use within the Sierra Nevada.

TEP members Jesús Ortiz and Nora Díaz have been compiling voice recordings, films, photographs and minutes of meetings for well over a decade. These materials are of great historical and educational value to the four pueblos and continue to provide guidance and inspiration within the 4 pueblos for the recovery of lost knowledge.

Especially urgent, is the publication of a book containing the wisdom of recently deceased Clodomiro Arroyo and Mamo Francisco Torres.  With gratitude, we can now report the much-anticipated book has been fully funded. 2000 copies of the book will soon be ready for distribution to the Indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada.  Click here to read more about this important work.