Inside Colombia’s Sierra Nevada: Where Indigenous Culture Thrives Through Weaving and Wisdom
In September 2025, staff from Cultural Survival travelled to the Sierra Nevada, a striking coastal mountain range in northern Colombia. The visit aimed to connect with Indigenous artists for the organisation’s bazaars. The region is home to the Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo Peoples, who have preserved their traditions for generations.
The Sierra Nevada is known for its snowcapped peak, Pico, and serves as the origin of 36 rivers. It also holds deep cultural significance as the ancestral land of the Tairona civilisation.
Cultural Survival spent much of their time with the Arhuaco Peoples, learning about their way of life. In these communities, children grow up weaving mochilas—traditional bags—alongside their lessons in math, reading, and writing. Weaving is seen as more than a craft; it is a way to retain knowledge, express ideas, and think independently.
A sign above the door of an Arhuaco library reads: ‘We are born to take care of the world, not to destroy it.’ This reflects the community’s values, where children’s mochilas are as essential as their notebooks. The organisation also observed how gratitude is often shown through actions and generosity, with visitors treated as blessings.
As part of their work, Cultural Survival staff walked with tobacco, sharing it with sacred fires and Indigenous groups across the region. They documented stories to support the rights and cultures of these Peoples, ensuring their history and traditions endure.
The Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo Peoples live in resguardos Indígenas—protected Indigenous reserves—within the Sierra Nevada. These communities continue to uphold their ancestral practices while adapting to modern challenges.
The visit highlighted the deep cultural traditions of the Sierra Nevada’s Indigenous Peoples. Cultural Survival’s efforts to include their artists in bazaars help preserve and share these traditions globally. The organisation remains committed to supporting Indigenous rights and ensuring their voices are heard.
Read also:
- GM’s Charlotte warehouse gets a high-tech overhaul for faster, safer operations
- Battersea Bridge to undergo 11-month safety overhaul for pedestrians and cyclists
- Hidden Exploitation Uncovered in UK’s Growing Nail Bar Industry
- Ian Lindo Honored as 2025 Military Child of the Year for Leadership and Service
