This book is a compendium of stories and words from the Kogui people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, focusing on the importance of water, rivers, and other natural and cultural elements that make up the Frío, Sevilla, and Tucurinca river basins in the department of Magdalena. It was born from the rapprochement between the Kogui people and the Water Custody Platform.
It was produced in both Koguian and Spanish languages, with the aim of preserving the cultural richness of the Kogui people while deepening understanding of the meanings and values of the natural world in relation to the spirituality and worldview of this community.
This book brings together ten captivating stories and more than fifty words, including vowels, consonants, numbers, and basic greetings. Its main objective is to become a valuable teaching tool in schools in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, by promoting the appropriation and learning of both languages.
Its creation involved visits to four communities, where mamos (spiritual leaders) and wise men shared their stories. The meanings of the words were obtained through individual and group interviews with women and children from the communities. The transcription in Koguián and its subsequent translation into Spanish were carried out by tribal interpreters and validated by administrative and spiritual authorities.
This process led us to find common ground and unite our worldviews to walk together toward a common goal of caring for and protecting rivers.
We are convinced that this booklet will be a valuable contribution to environmental and cultural education and conservation in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, as it has allowed us to discover that many elements unite us, and we know that together we can advance toward stewardship of water.
