SIERRA NEVADA, Columbia: In the serene shade of a revered tree, Indigenous elders from Colombia’s Sierra Nevada mountains engage in a solemn ritual, chewing coca leaves while contemplating the mounting perils facing their ancestral lands amidst the backdrop of melting glaciers and disrupted ecosystems.
These wise leaders, known as “mamos,” speak of the gradual warming of their sacred home, expressing concerns over the escalating impact of human actions on their cherished environment.
For the Indigenous communities inhabiting the Sierra Nevada, which they regard as the center of the universe, the preservation of their natural surroundings is a sacred duty. UNESCO has recognized their ancient wisdom as integral to safeguarding the delicate balance of “mother nature, humanity, and the planet.”
Yet, the region faces unprecedented challenges as record heatwaves accelerate glacial retreat and jeopardize agricultural livelihoods, reflecting a global crisis of climate change.
As they perform their meditative rituals, the mamos lament humanity’s folly in disrupting the natural order, warning of dire consequences if the harmony of their ecosystem is further disturbed.
The Sierra Nevada, once adorned with 14 tropical glaciers, now witnesses the dwindling remnants of only six, a stark testament to the ecological upheaval wrought by human activity.
Among the Indigenous communities, including the Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Kogui, and Wiwa peoples, deep-seated apprehensions about the changing climate resonate. Leonor Zalabata, representing Colombia’s Indigenous voice at the United Nations, underscores the urgent need for action as glaciers vanish and once-fertile lands succumb to unpredictable weather patterns.
For Seydin Aty Rosado and her community in Nabusimake, traditional ways of life are imperiled by rising temperatures, disrupting age-old agricultural practices and threatening food security.
Despite the encroaching challenges, the Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada uphold their holistic worldview, emphasizing interconnectedness with nature and the imperative of collective stewardship.
Their resilience is evident in their adaptation strategies, blending traditional practices with modern technologies like solar panels and education initiatives.
However, beyond the specter of climate change, the Indigenous communities face additional threats, including the encroachment of drug traffickers and the resurgence of paramilitary activities, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.
Amidst these multifaceted challenges, the Indigenous voices of the Sierra Nevada stand as guardians of an ancient wisdom that offers hope and resilience in the face of an uncertain future.
