Universo Arhuaco
Foreword
The contents of the present book have compiled in accordance with several Mamos
ortraditional authorities of the Ijka,or Arhuaco community of the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta. They are interested in divulging their ancestral thought,and in
calling the Bunachu's and the National Government's attention to the Mamos'main
needs,in order that they may go on with the mission of preserving the balance
of the world.
The Knowledge and studies on our native peoples are so poor that today we
do not even have a record of their cultural legacy.For many communities have
either wholly disppeared or been assimilated by "those levellers of the spirit
with which the big power threaten us"(G.Reichell Dolmatoff).
In the threshold of a new millenium it is necessary for us to get acquainted
with all the elements that constitute our country.We must abandon the cult for
all things foreign,and with respect and admiration come to value again the wisdom
of our Mamos,much as we do with the classics of the different cultures of the
earth.The Mamos'testimonies,messages,interviews and documents constitute a treasure
for our country and for the world;for they are the expression of a people whom
we might consider as a great and unique source of humanity,"the keepers of a
great,deep knowledge,and of light,strength and humbleness ti interpret all things
considered difficult by humankind".
The spreading of this traditional thought is of great importance to the future
generations,since the extant studies about the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
are practically unknown.And they were carried out mainly by European and North
American archeologists,geographers,etnologists,explorers,and journalists,through
the glass of Western science.There are also a few reports by Colombian anthropologists
in specialized reviews.
Unlike the extant bibliographic and graphic materials,the contents of the
present book are not confined within the bounds of Western scientific parameters,wich
are restricted to give mere descriptions.In these page is the living thought
of the Mamos and the image they have about this world. THE ARHUACO AND THE LIFE
OF CIVILIZATION,1978,a book written by the Arhuaco Vinicio Torres Márquez,is
a work Y would also recommend.
In his Kurina Kankurwa,Mamo Aruvan Zeinenkua (Otoniel Mejia Izquierdo) once
said, "I would be ready to truly cooperate with you if you faced the reality
we are living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta".
Sharing this effort - which will serve as a record and would help the communities
of the sacred abode to reach an agreement on the subject of the recuperation
of the territories within the Black or Scientific Line- ,are also the following
Mamos: Zareymakú(Juan Marcos Perez),High Mamo of the Kankurwa Mamingeka;Dwinimaku
(Manuel Chaparro,cabildo central,Nabusimake);Zarey Maku (Carmen Perez,Kankurwa,in
Moroto);Zeukukuy (Norberto Torres,Kankurwa Manchucua);Bunchanawin (Jesús
Izquierdo,Pueblo Bello);Arwa Aviku (Crispin Izquierdo Torres,Santuario de Tigrichama);Francisco
Zalabata,La Pradera,Comisión de Ordenamiento Territorial;Avinteira (Juan
Bautista Villafaña).
Together with the thought of the above-mentioned Mamos,we are publishing a
homage to three of the "reborn"Mamos who were assasinated in 1990.Namely Angel
María Torres,Hugues Chaparro,and Bunkua Nabingemwa (Mamo Luis Napoleón
Torres),whose previously unpublished interview was generously handed over to
us by those peoples of thought.
We are also publishing the document,signed in August 1992,by which the Capuchin
mission agreed to quit Nabusimake - the place of the rising sun - ,called San
Sebastian de Rábaga by the friars.We also include a document by which
the Mamos of the Supreme Counsil of the Sacred Abode of the Sierra Nevada de
Santa Marta (COSMOS) was created in Avintukua in June ,1995.
By this edition,we want to contribute a little to the recognition of our "elder
brothers", while helping us to overcome our ignorance about the wisdom kept
there,in the heart of the world;and to use their teachings as guides to preserve
the planetary balance;and push forward the search for our roots,as well as to
provide an excellent source of information to the scholars.
The charcoal illustrations were drawn by our friend Mario Montoya.For the
interpretation and translation we had collaboration of several elder brothers.For
the compilation,transcription and definitive redaction of the texts,we thank
the áyu and yoburo's force and light.
This is what I think and pass along.
Jesús Ortiz Rodríguez. |
