Umunukunu
Our Rooted Steps
In the defence for autonomus knowledge and the defense of the Ancestral Territory of the Black Line.
We are a group of artists, academics, and activists who come together with the Iku (guardians of life) in the paths of protection of living territories and ancestral knowledges. We want to weave alternative ideas, experiences and knowledges to strengthen life against the projects of death perpetuated by the Western model of civilization. Departing from the Anuwe Kūnsamu or the ‘law of origin’ that focuses on the protection, conservation and practices of ancestral knowledges.
Acknowledgments
Anuwue Kunsamu, the law of Origin, keeps the heart of the world always alive, the conservation and protection of ancestral knowledge in relation to the principles, functions and order of nature. The Umunukunu Pluriversity has its foundation in the Law of Origin, strengthening ancestral wisdom.
The conventional school implemented for our communities from the Western perspective has done and does us a lot of harm. This is why the present journey moves away from conventional education and starts from the root of one's own education. The Umunukunu Pluriversity is an autonomous commitment that seeks from our ancestral knowledge to strengthen our care, protection and territorial struggle.
There is a need for us to learn more about our history both at the traditional level and at the level of the struggles that our Iku people have given at the legal and political level in territorial defense. A historical and current dialogue in which we meet to reflect on current problems, demonstrate the tools we have to face them and together generate bets to overcome them in our cultural way even if we have to use some tools of the younger brother but with our own roots.
- Meeting of Mamus
Hold Mamus meetings and support ancestral offering walks as appropriate to the Iku.
- Conversations by the fire
Reflecting on themes of origin and ancestral order with the Mamus around the fire. Differentiating the conversation of the Mamus with the Seymuke and cabildos and administrative authorities in their relationship with the community.
- Actions that are proposed according to the philosophy of Pluriversity based on the principle of spinning in consultation.
- Territorial pedagogy with farmers
Meetings with the peasants who live in the territory of the Linea Negra to share knowledge about the care of the land, the water and the seed, as well as the affectations to the territory.
Walking the Umunukunu Pluriversity
We as indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta have a clear mandate from our Law of Origin and it is the care and protection of the Ancestral Territory of the Black Line, since are the elder sibilings it is up to us to protect the heart of the world and from there support to the entire planet and the cosmos. We are Iku (Arhuacos) is our responsability to protect life together with the spiritual Mothers and Fathers of the sacred territory, together with the Kággaba (Kogui), Wiwa and Kankuamo peoples.
Since Spanish colonization we have had to face years of death and physical and cultural destruction, with the destruction of our territories also increasing more and more. That is why it is essential for us to consolidate our knowledge for the care and protection of both ancestral wisdom and our territory.
The Umunukunu Pluriversidad is intended as a meeting place for the entire Sierra Nevada with all sibilings Kaagbda, (Kogi,) Wiwa, Kwankamo, but it will begin with us, the Iku, and specifically in the Businchama Reservation. A Reservation in which interculturality, the encounter and struggle between the ancestral part and modernity, are very strongly evident. Therefore, being a reservation that is very exposed to the dynamics of the bunache (younger brother) we must unite and be very clear in the defense of our territory.
Background
Pluriversity Umunukunu is planted in compliance with the mandates given from the kadukwu of Nawaku by Mamu Felix Villafaña and the Kadukwu of Kwarteumuke by Mamu Arwawiku Izquierdo. The base document was seeded at the traditional level in the month of January 2022.With this “Project” we seek to strengthen the axis of Self-Education and ancestral organization for the defense of the Ancestral Territory of the Black Line (autonomies in learning to defend the Mother and life). For the protection and strengthening of the ancestral knowledge of the Iku people.
For Umunukunu Pluriversity it is essential to receive the responsabilty and be guardians of the Origin, the name and function of sacred places, recognizing what already is. Each basin, study, teach, indicate - be it to someone young or old - how to get to it, how to defend it, to the river, to the spring, to the hill. Preserving the ancestral territory and her knowledge, remembering the Mother in the hearts of her daughters and sons.
We call to restore ancestral encounters to indigenous communities and peoples of the world, groups of groups and anyone willing to follow the law of Origin, defend the territories of life and conserve sacred places. From the strength of the women in charge of caring for life in the company of sisters and brothers willing to meet, share, talk, and weave the messages of their communities, the experiences, ideas and feelings to face the threats and effects caused by the younger brother. Being willing to defend the Mother Earth of megaprojects, development and business at the cost of life.