The Kogi Mamas are the shaman elders of the Sierra Nevada, and they belong to the ancient peoples of the planet known as the "Elder Brothers". In 1992, a BBC documentary was released, titled: "From The Heart of the World: The Elder Brother's Warning", giving a voice to the Mamas on behalf of our Mother Earth and the natural balance of all living things.
They warned us then, that if we did not stop plundering the Body of the Mother for her blood and vital fluids (gold, oil); if we did not stop breaking up her bones for fuel (coal); if we did not stop ripping away her skin (topsoil) while clearcutting forests or stop using unsustainable practices for agriculture; if our greenhouse gases do not cease transforming the climate of the planet and poisoning our waters - they warned us that we would tip the balance too far and the world would be damaged beyond reason.
They watched as the snowcaps of the Sierra Nevada began to vanish, and the fresh water supply for all of the life below the peaks began to dry up. In their homeland exists a microcosm of the global ecology: from snowrange mountaintops, to tundra, timberland, rainforest, jungle, to sandy beaches... each lifeform living in fragile balance in their miniature ecosystem. As the meltwaters dry up, each little system is depleted of its health and biological diversity. The Mamas have seen firsthand what we are doing to the Earth. they know, too, with their spiritual vision, why we are doing it. They are begging us to stop.
They plead with us even now to change our ways, and they take refuge in the realization that enough people have become conscious to the plight of our world to fight for the end of these destructive philosophies and practices. They call out to us to say that the planets' indigenous peoples are Elders and they hold the wisdom that we need to survive. More than survive, to transcend our greed and ignorance, and learn how to be one with the natural world: thriving, expanding our potential, evolving.
The Kogi way is not to forsake all modern ammenities, but to practice a keen discernment about what to accept and why, and to contemplate fully the impact of accepting certain technologies or practices. They have chosen to accept sugarmills and axes, for instance, into their societies, but the Kogi do without most of what the "Younger Brother" has created. They garden amidst old growth forest and raise small livestock such as chickens. Everything is done so as to live and breathe in harmony with the natural world. The Mamas see that we are not in touch with this way of surrendering ourselves or our desires, and so we do not know what it is to live simply and consciously. All of their work now is focused on helping us find the way to our proper place in our relationship with all other Living Things.
Please go to http://www.corazondelmundo.org to find out more about the Kogi Mamas and their mission. The following is an excerpt from the Heart of the World organization website:
**"The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rises abruptly from the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It is the world’s highest coastal mountain range, independent and isolated from the Andes. It is also a region of tremendous historical, cultural, biological and economic importance for Colombia.
Due to its size, approximately 17,000 km2, altitudinal variations and tropical position, the Sierra Nevada possesses some of the world’s most diversified flora and fauna, including many endemic species, and is of significant biological and hydrological importance. Its 35 river basins provide fresh water for some 1.5 million people living in the surrounding areas, and for agriculture and industry.
It is a sacred region for the 50,000 indigenous people from four main ethnic groups - Kogi, Wiwa, Arhuaco and Kankuamo - descendants of the Tayrona,
'We still inhabit the region and practice traditions that date back to pre-colonial times, and our ancestral territory is delimited by a series of interconnected points (sacred sites) in the lower parts of the mountain range and between the sea and the snow-capped peaks. For our people, Cerro Gonawindua is the center of the universe and the mountain’s health controls the health of the entire planet. Our entire social organization and spiritual and cultural foundation are based on sacred practices carried out throughout these traditional lands. We believe that the Sierra Nevada is the “Heart of the World.”
Our Mamas, the guardians of our cultural knowledge, are renowned for their wisdom, foresight, and caring for the natural environment. We rely on their guidance for maintaining our traditions despite serious threats to our lands, way of life, culture and the natural resource base.' " **
Please get involved in the awakening of mankind and speak out, act out, in favor of our right place in the world! Decide for yourself upon deep thought and reflection: how am I not living in balance with our Mother Earth, Her other children, Her bounty? What can I do without? What can I change? How can I help others wake up? What change can be too extreme while our fate is awaiting us? Make changes and then make some more.
Be a Shaman. Be a Teacher. Become an Elder. Be in Harmony. Today.
Credits:
Thank you to Lucho for his hard work and dedication to the Kogi Mamas and to the Mother! This is his video, and much of the video footage was originally in "From The Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers Warning" c. 1992 BBC. Used with permission. The audio commentary is current and they are the words of the Tairona people, speaking to us about what is happening now.
Visit Lucho's youtube channel for his documentary work with the Kogi and the other Tairona indigenous peoples of Colombia: http://www.youtube.com/lcondorkogi
Artwork: copyright Li Parsons 2005: "From The Heart of the World: Aluna". Watercolor, ink and oil pastels on paper.
