As all the world is becoming aware of the tragic oil spill off the gulf of Mexico there is in the Heart of The World - Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) Colombia, another urgent story unfolding. One that I and Rick Harlow of The Elders Project (TEP) hope to inform the world of. To understand the urgent message of the Kogi and other indigenous tribes, please read my other blogs re: The Elders Project and journey of the Kogi, Wiwa, Arhuaco, Kunkarmo January of 2010 to understand the purpose of The Elders Project. The Mamo (traditional elders) of the Kogi, Arhuaco & Wiwa tribes after completing the first phase of the sacred journey with the support of TEP, have requested our continuing help in support of their people, ancient traditions and sacred works of harmonizing all of life from their home in the Heart of the World.
SNSM Messages - May 7th - May 23rd: The importance that TEP fulfill the request of the Mamo; to continue support of the four tribes - their spiritual works, in order to sustain their ancient culture specifically requires that,each of the traditional Mamo of the four pueblos meet with TEP representative and agree unanimously to work together toward these projects. Here is a compilation of some of the recent journey to SNSM heart of the world to meet with the Mamo.
TEP documentary video taken as preservation of the sacred journey for future generations was shown to some of the Mamo. their viewing this important audio visual recording of their ancient traditions for future generations was significant.
It was observed that there is so much need in the Heart of the World for the four indigenous tribes who live there, not only regarding food, with little good land to farm, (mostly arid land is in the hands of non indigenous people now) but all that is required for saving their ancient culture -law of origins. A number of requests & proposals from the Mamo were given to TEP to raise funds for the support of these projects.
1. The third sacred journey which is necessary to fulfill the yearly four journey's necessary according to their law of origins around the black line; the energetic boundary at the base of the Heart of the World in order to make their spiritual offerings to harmonize the mother earth and all of life.
2.Supporting the traditional work of the mamo with a total of 8 boys who are studying to become mamos. Sadly there are 500 indigenous students receiving education from the government which separate them from the traditional indigenous teachings and in regard to the future of the peoples traditions this is worrisome to them.
3 Fund a gathering of 8 mamos from different Arhuaco territories for two weeks to strengthen their traditional work to sustain their people.
4. Funding is needed to fulfill the traditional Tani Dance (Kansa Maria) that has been banned for the past 50 years by those opposing traditional ceremonies.
5. The Guati Yina (woman's project) needs funds to support the teachings and initiation of Arhuaco girls to become Mamo's to take part in sacred works for their people. The Elders Project has received a donation of $3000 to help begin this important and exciting project. (more on this in an upcoming blog)
5/8/10 After shopping for fish, grains and other necessities, a long journey was made to meet with the traditional elder Mamo Dunken's at his pueblo to share with him the work of TEP.
TEP's commitment to help support the recuperation of the traditional indigenous people of the SNSM - Heart of the World - their law of origins and sacred ceremonies needs your help. We are seeking donations for the 5 requests from the mamo noted above and to help the mamo evaluate what must be done to counter the threats that could bring about their cultural extinction.
Many of the mamo are of advanced age your donations will help them come together, perhaps for the last time ever, since the pueblos in the SNSM of the four tribes are a great distance apart and will also help fulfill the ceremonies, teachings and valuable archival documenting for the younger generations of the Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuarmo.
Please send any amount to the non for-profit
Earth Action Att: the Elders Project
PO Bx 63
Amherst Ma. 01004
make your checks payable to The Elders Project
Sunday, May 23, 2010
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