Historic Blessing to Healers and Guardians of Medicinal Plants
in Cauca, Colombia.
Written By: Natasha Pentin, June 29, 2024
Link to original article in Spanish​
​
Photo #1 by Marvin Vivas​​​ - Photo #2 by: Willa Kveta - of Maya Martínez Gómez and Grandmother Ana María Hoyos​ - Photo #3 by: Jessica Alejandra Londoño y Nena Sierra - of Xochi Bucuru
An indigenous and intercultural gathering in the department of Cauca, Colombia aimed to restore women's empowerment and the preservation of ancestral wisdom. In early May, at the Atlántida eco-village in Cajibío, Cauca, some of the elder knowledge keepers, representatives of the Confederation of Ancestral Authorities of Colombia, and the Council of the Nine Snow Peaks, gathered to give a historic blessing to four healers of medicinal plants, an event called "The Return of the Goddess, the Mother at the Altar."
The gathering exalted the historic struggle of indigenous and mestizo women for recognition in serving sacred medicines and the important role they play in preserving traditional knowledge.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
It marked a moment of vindication of the work of women healers, recognizing their transformative strength in the fabric of humanity and reconnecting with the feminine energies and qualities that have been suppressed. According to the event organizers, women are reclaiming their altars to occupy the roles of priestesses and healers in their communities, as it was in ancient times.
The elders offered the blessing as a way to restore balance and harmony between the masculine and the feminine, both individually (within ourselves) and collectively. They called for healing historical wounds - caused by gender oppression - and for rebuilding a more just society that respects diversity and cares for Mother Earth.
Since 2016, representatives of 67 different indigenous ethnic groups in Colombia have integrated the Confederation for the preservation of ancestral worldview, conservation of native languages, healing of territories, and reduction of forms of violence. Despite being a pluri-ethnic country with great indigenous diversity, communities face dangers that threaten ancestral memory.
Elder Fernando Sarria, a member of the Confederation, knowledge keeper of the Coconuco people, and professor at the University of Cauca, expressed during a speech at the sacred house: “Women carry in their hands and thoughts the knowledge like a fabric that preserves tradition and protects life, history, and the memory of the peoples.” He then knelt humbly and addressed the healers and female presences: “I want to continue being small and lesser, to walk with the greatness of all (of you).”
Regarding female oppression, indigenous groups have also not been free from prejudice or misogyny; like in modern society, women continue to experience forms of discrimination and violence that restrict their participation in the peace process and environmental management of the country.
The event aligned with the visit of Francisco Cali Tzay, special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples. He said that Colombia's aspirations for total peace depend on the “genuine recognition and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.” Given that the growth and progress of women influence future generations, their rights and inclusion in discussions must be a priority to overcome historical imbalance.
Other attending elders included Taita Anselmo Tombé, a traditional doctor from the Misak people of Cauca; Elder Larry Jeromito, a traditional doctor of the CRIC and recognized knowledge keeper of the Nasa people, municipality of Inzá; and Elder Mauricio Gañan, member of the Council of Elders and coordinator of the Peace and Dignity Journeys of Embera-Chamí, Río Sucio.
Other international elders also came from Hawaii and Peru, sharing their territorial traditions, from the concept of “Aloha” to the Kintu ritual with coca leaves, respectively. This reflected the Confederation’s vision for the future and the acceptance of diversity and inclusion, which they called: “Sharing the memory of Mother Earth for the good of humanity.”
“We are in the era of women”
The event lasted five days and involved countless songs, dances, conversations, rituals, icaros, prayers, and walks to honor feminine strength. There was also an exchange of master plants that the four healers have guarded and served for years with dedication and will, and other rituals conducted by elders involving inipi (sweat lodge originating from native peoples), tobacco, chicha (fermented drink), and mountain cotton.
Before starting the event, Grandmother Ana María Hoyos, co-founder of the Atlántida eco-village and one of the four healers, invited all participants (from Colombia and abroad) to create their personal altar in the petals of the altar fabric, a sacred space around the fire to deeply reflect on their contribution and service to humanity. Grandmother Ana María is a co-founding member of the Council of Grandmothers of Colombia and the Council of Grandparents and Grandmothers of Cauca, promoter of Sacred Walks, Sun and Moon dancer, bearer of the Vision Quest altar, and dedicated to the activation of sacred places on the planet.
She and Grandmother Patricia Rodríguez are bearers of ancestral medicine from the Andes, a cactus that, according to the elders, clarifies thoughts, opens the heart, and allows healing of the emotional, spiritual, and physical body. Grandmother Patricia is also a leader of the Sacred Fire of Itzachilatlan, bearer of the Vision Quest altar, Sun and Moon dancer, and member of the Council of Grandmothers of Colombia.
“We have been fighting for years and even with tears, but finally, we are in the time when the place of women at the altars is recognized,” expressed Grandmother Ana María. The other two women also dedicate their lives to the study and service of ancestral knowledge, working with other masters.
Maya Martínez Gómez is a guardian of multiple sacraments, co-founder of the non profit organization Somos Sanctuary in New York, music producer, and music therapist. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
“The Return of the Goddess is a call not only to the Colombian people but to humanity, to review the altar of our home, the internal altar we carry,” said Maya. “A call to restructure and rebalance our internal polarities.”
Maya expressed that in her journey as a medicine woman, she had not encountered many difficulties but rather a lot of openness. She had to undergo quite demanding training and physical challenges to “be on the level of men,” but those experiences brought her strength, discipline, vision, focus, and clarity.
Xochi Bucuru is a traditional Colombian healer, co-founder of the NGO Cultural Tras La Huella, pedagogue in health and human development, cultural manager, and promoter of indigenous community projects and bearer of yagé and ayahuasca.
She has accompanied the elders of indigenous peoples, making their voices take a place of importance in our societies, not necessarily idealizing their lives, but recognizing that their knowledge can contribute greatly to everything that happens to us in the present.
During a sharing with the event participants, Xochi expressed that her path with medicines from the age of 14 was not easy. In her case, she experienced much rejection from several indigenous elders for being a young woman, with her active lunar cycle (menstruation). So, in her words, the Return of the Goddess was important to “remember that original memory and understand the importance of being united to strengthen a common good.”
Xochi prepares yagé with her family, a thick, bitter ancestral drink of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. It has become very popular in recent years for its ability to accompany the depth of the unconscious, reveal the origin of emotional blockages, and undertake the tasks to heal them. ​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
Xochi called it work that seeks to “heal not only humanity but the environment, it is something we can observe globally, exponentially a change and awakening in collective consciousness.”
Master plants, like ayahuasca, are causing a big stir in popular culture and are surrounded by propaganda or bad press when the medicine falls into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is important to protect this traditional knowledge, both for the responsible application of these plants to harness their potential and as a vehicle for conservation.
The event marked the beginning of the integration of diverse healing traditions guided by women - to enrich and complement the process so far led by men - for understanding and sharing ancestral medicines with a loving approach that extends into global consciousness. As Elder Larry Jeromito announced: “We are in the era of women.”
​​​​​
​
​​​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
​
