While Colombia’s urban population is struggling, the national indigenous organizations consider the coronavirus pandemic a wake-up call from Mother Earth to “return to the origin.”
According to national indigenous organization ONIC, the coronavirus is not just a threat, but also an opportunity for communities to improve social bonds and ancestral self sustenance practices.
Furthermore, indigenous communities in remote regions cannot rely on Colombia’s public healthcare system, forcing them to rely on their ancestral survival skills.
ONIC
“It’s time to return to our origins”
In an extensive document, “It’s time to return to our origins,” the ONIC shared both practical, social and spiritual knowledge to the dozens of nations and peoples that inhabit Colombia together with their “younger brother.”
The document contains both recommendations of “western” medical experts on the prevention of contagion, but also indigenous knowledge on region-specific agriculture to increase individual communities” capacity to sustain themselves.
The ONIC, for example, urged the stepping up of cattle ranging and the cultivation of region-specific crops that would not just allow the indigenous peoples and nations to sustain themselves if prolonged isolation is necessary, but also strengthen their immune system.
Recommendations for indigenous peoples
Strengthening the indigenous social fabric
The organization also advised to strengthen social order and ancestral hierarchies by optimizing the transfer of knowledge from community elders to younger generations and the protection of their territory.
Last but not least, the ONIC urged the promotion of order and harmony within the community and with their “younger brother” from outside the indigenous communities.
At the same time, the indigenous organization urged the strengthening of the communities’ indigenous guard to prevent the unauthorized entry of outsiders.
Recommendations for indigenous peoples
ONIC
The mother’s spiritual teachings
Apart from the medical advice, the practical recommendations, the indigenous organization also stressed to fortify spiritual strength.
Colombia’s indigenous communities are preparing practically, socially and mentally for the times ahead, and have decided to erase the name of humanity’s latest pandemic from their vocabulary.
Notwithstanding, the ONIC is closely monitoring the spread of the virus in case further action is needed to protect or assist the country’s indigenous people and nations.