By Dr Rajendra Singh*
Pueblo Bello/Nabusimake: We commenced a journey from Pueblo Bello on November 20, 2024, to reach the top of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta along with members of the Kogi and Arhuaco communities.
This journey started at 4 a.m. by fasting according to Arhuaco rules. As our march progressed, we passed through inaccessible places with dense forests and straight high hills but no roads, and there were even acidic marshy grasslands. Rare views of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta full of biodiversity, were all around.
Passing through such paths, we reached the highest peak of the mountain. A river also originates from here. This place is amidst the clouds. There were such stones present here, about which, it is believed that, through these stones, we can send our message to Mother Earth.
Spiritual guru ‘Mamu‘ of Kogi and Arhuaca communities conducted spiritual rituals. The spiritual guru gave plant-like cotton to everyone. He asked everyone to pray for the world from their inner heart and think of putting their feelings inside the cotton. After the prayer, the ‘Mamu’ dedicated this cotton at a special place. He said that the most important thing on earth is ‘thought’. It is from this that the Earth has been ignited.
After this, guru ‘Mamu’ of the Kogi community narrated the story of the creation of the Earth and said that in the beginning of the Earth, there were only ‘thoughts’ and no physical things. Physical things were created because of these thoughts. The Earth was engulfed in darkness long ago, and after darkness, the sun, trees, air and all other things were created. After the creation of the Earth, God Himself, created the Kogi so that they could take care of the Earth.
Even in the 21st century, the Kogi and Arhuaco communities have preserved their knowledge and traditions. They make and implement their own rules and laws. The whole world should learn this from them.
Sabina, who was present here from Germany, spoke about German civilization. A Lakota woman sang a peace song and remembered her ancestors.
After performing spiritual rituals on the mountain, we reached Nabusimeke, the ‘moral capital’ of the place. This land is considered to be the birthplace of the Sun. The feeling after coming here is of reaching a very ancient period. Traditional round huts are hundreds of years old. Only the people of the Arhuaco community live here. After fighting a big battle, they have protected this area from the company and modernity. They follow their traditional language and traditions. Fruits, flowers and vegetables are grown here in an organic way. There are no modern facilities here, everyone is following their ancient customs and rituals.
Outside the city, we met the priests at Kurmkura (temple). They asked me to bring Tulsi seeds next time.
Queen, a student of spiritual education, told us that only women perform rituals in a temple here. She also explained the importance of women in a male-dominated society.
The next morning we reached a place where all the spiritual and political decisions are taken. All the houses here are made of mud, which can withstand all kinds of weather. Here, there is no democracy but their own system runs. They have their own rules, which unite spirituality, earth and society.
From here we returned following the same inaccessible places and reached Puelbo, Arhuaco community on November 23, 2024. After our return, spiritual rituals were performed according to the Kogi and Arhuaco community traditions so that the message of peace could spread all over.
Here all the people apologized to the Earth and said: “Earth, you are our mother, we all respect you. Guru ‘Mamu’ sang a Kogi song dedicated to the elements.
*Well-known water conservationist
