• Development of a permanent research and bird watching center; serves as the gateway and gathering place for the Kággaba and the public; The development of a media center so videos can be made by the Kogi (Kaggab) as they receive messages for the world. Documentaries can be produced that shares more of the story of Mother Earth and Her relations with the Kaggaba. Mamos can meet with those coming for instruction in this center so that the public isn’t going uninvited into their homeplaces.

The natural evolution of cultures in the context of globalisation poses an imminent risk of homogenisation. In this regard, the establishment of a Permanent Research Centre at the cultural border of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta presents avaluble Alternative for the kággaba\Kogi to resist the pressures of the Western world.

This centre would act as a bridge between two realities: on one hand, the ancestral knowledge of the Kogi, and on the other, the Western intellectual sphere, which seeks to propose solutions to the challenges arising from the bioclimatic crisis. Thus, the centre would not only facilitate a transition towards a new reality for the West but would also enable the exchange of knowledge for the benefit of both worlds.

The vision of the Permanent Research Centre is to become a national and international reference point in the integration of ancestral knowledge and contemporary understanding, promoting a deep and respectful comprehension between cultures. We aspire to be a model of collaboration that drives positive change towards sustainability and balance with nature, contributing to the creation of a future where cultural and ecological diversity are valued and protected.

Objectives

1. Preservation of Ancestral Knowledge: Document and promote the knowledge and cultural practices of the Kogi to ensure their continuity over time.
2. Exchange of Knowledge: Facilitate dialogue and exchange between the Kogi and Western scholars, promoting mutual learning and co-creation of solutions to contemporary challenges.
3. Awareness of the Bioclimatic Crisis: Create a space for reflection and action on the impacts of globalisation and the bioclimatic crisis, using ancestral wisdom as a basis for finding sustainable solutions.
4. Fostering Cultural Identity: Strengthen the cultural identity of the Kogi through educational activities, workshops, and events that celebrate their heritage.
5. Research and Sustainable Development: Promote research that integrates traditional and scientific knowledge to develop sustainable practices that benefit both cultures.

Documentation Center

It is a physical and digital space dedicated to the production, preservation, and dissemination of relevant information for study and research in various fields of knowledge. Its mission is to provide access to documentary resources, including books, journals, reports, and audiovisual materials, that support the mission of the Permanent Research Centre.

Audiovisual

EZUAMA
Documentary | 22:00 ( In Post Production )
Director: Franz K. Florez

A century ago, the journey of the sacred masks of the Kággaba or Kogi culture was told in two divergent versions. The short documentary “Ezuama” delves into the complex history of these cultural and spiritual artifacts, which were taken to Germany in a historical and colonial context. Through meticulous research, the film reveals the contrasting accounts of how these masks, fundamental symbols of Kogi identity and worldview, ended up in Europe. In 2022, the German government returned the masks to the Kogi community in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, marking a milestone in the recognition of cultural rights. “Ezuama” captures, through intimate and evocative imagery, the ceremonial act that celebrates the role of the masks and gold, showcasing the deep respect and ongoing dialogue that the Kogi maintain with the entities embodied by these artifacts. The restitution is not merely a symbolic gesture but a reaffirmation of an ancestral knowledge system that remains vibrant and alive in the Ezuamas Kogi. The documentary offers an unprecedented audiovisual testimony to the power of culture and spirituality in preserving indigenous identity, providing a window into the rich heritage of the Kogi and their resilience in the face of historical challenges.

WHISPERS OF THE ANCIENTS
Documentary | 20:00 
Director: Adriana Salazar Vega

In a remote corner of North East India, an international gathering of elders — wise guardians of ancient spiritual traditions— takes place. Representatives from various cultures, each a bearer of profound ancestral knowledge, convene in this sacred location for a spiritual consultation. Among them is a máma kogi, a spiritual leader from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. This revered elder finds himself at the foothills of the Himalayas, connecting two of the world’s tallest mountains through invisible pathways. With a deep connection to the Earth and the spirits that dwell within it, the máma kogi unveils the spiritual paths that allow ancestral mothers and fathers to transit and communicate between the mountain peaks. This mystical encounter transcends time and space, weaving an invisible bond between the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the Himalayas, demonstrating that ancestral wisdom knows no boundaries. Through this spiritual consultation, a universal web of connection is revealed linking all beings, reminding us of the importance of maintaining balance and harmony in our world.

Books

KOGI ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGY

The Kogi people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta possess a profound knowledge system that intertwines the sacred and the natural world. Their sacred sites, marked by stones, serve as eternal links between the visible and the invisible realms. Guided by the Law of Origin, this theocratic society has designated spaces in their territory that correspond to the creator deities of all living expressions—birds, mammals, invertebrates, trees, and even clay and gold—reflecting a worldview akin to Spinoza’s idea that divinity permeates everything. In ritual practice, the Kogi perform pagamentos, thoughtful visits to these sacred sites, where they mentally create offerings that nourish the life of the birds and other beings. They understand biodiversity not as separate entities but as an interconnected community, reinforcing the delicate balance of life. In the rich animal pluriverse of La Sierra, the birds do not merely sing; they communicate messages, embodying the deep connections that link all living things.

ZETENIYAKA

This book captures stories woven by the author with the ancient world embodied by the Kogi, alongside the living community of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in the watershed of the Río Ancho, which is known higher up as the Río San Miguel, Dibulla – La Guajira – Colombia.

These are times rich with revelations, set against a backdrop of a world in transition, marred by the mistreatment of living beings and the urgent need to rediscover lost paths inspired by those who possess deep knowledge. The narratives offer a reference point for interacting with biodiversity, particularly with the tapir, while also bridging the gap with the Western world that recognises the importance of a culture that was never conquered, thereby preserving, albeit as remnants, its connection to the creative essence of the Universe.