Voyage à travers les couleurs : 4×52 mn documentaries
Broadcast by Chaîne Voyage – Produced by ZED – Directed by Guy Beauché
One of our recent film shoots in Colombia, in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
The Kogi Indians are part of an indigenous community that has been settled for over 500 years in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, near the Colombian Caribbean coast. Their territory stretches from 0 to 5,700 meters above sea level.
They are descendants of the Tayronas, who were driven into the mountains by the Karib invasions towards the end of the first millennium. The community numbers some 20,000 individuals.
They live, essentially by choice, in total intellectual and economic autarky, refusing to mix with Colombia’s modern Western world. They are essentially farmers and cattle breeders.
Their world is filled with spirituality, and there is no hierarchy in the groups, even if there is a « chief » who is above all a guide: the Mama. A decision is only taken once all group members have spoken. A decision must never prejudice any member of the group.
For the Kogis, the Sierra Nevada mountains represent the Heart of the World. For them, the Sierra Nevada de San Marta maintains the ecological and spiritual balance of the entire planet. Kogi mythology tells us that they are humanity’s « elder brothers ». Westerners are called « little brothers ».
Legend has it that these little brothers were once banished from the heart of the world because of the crimes they committed. So they must continue on their way and suffer the punishment for their misdeeds…
