the last guardians (act 2) in progress

THIS WORK IS THE CONTINUATION of the work started in nov dec 2017.

The Arhuacos live in the high valleys of the Piedras, San Sebastian, Chichicua, Ariguani and Guatapuri rivers within the Sierra Nevada Indian Reserve of Santa Marta. Before Spanish colonization, their traditional territory extended well beyond present borders. The latter excluded many sacred sites, that this tribe continues to visit to bring their offerings. These lost lands are located in the lower parts, at the foot of the mountains now dedicated to livestock and agriculture.

THEIR ECONOMY:

The main economic activity of the Arhuacos is subsistence agriculture. This was practiced traditionally by each family, within the community, on their own plot near the houses. Each family owned two houses; one in the upper lands where the climate is colder and one, warmer, in the lands at the bottom of the mountains.

Today, they have no choice but to continue this way of life only in the higher regions, because of the expropriation of their lands during the Spanish colonization.Big brothers

The Indians of the Sierra are self-styled "big brothers" and consider that they show a mystical wisdom and understanding, superior to those of other peoples whom they call their 'little brothers'.

The big brothers believe that it is their responsibility to maintain the equilibrium of the universe. When there are hurricanes, periods of drought or famine in the world, they say they are responsible for the failure of man to maintain the harmony of the world.

The balance is established by making offerings to the sacred sites to return to the earth what has been taken from it.Their spiritual leaders are called Mamo. They are responsible for maintaining the natural order of the world through singing, meditation and rites of offerings.

Mamo's learning begins at an early age and continues until he is about 18 years old. The young man is taken to the heights of the mountains where he learns to meditate on the natural and spiritual world.

In our Western culture, the Mamo would be both a priest, a teacher and a doctor.

Their spiritual leaders are called Mamo. They are responsible for maintaining the natural order of the world through singing, meditation and rites of offerings.

Mamo's learning begins at an early age and continues until he is about 18 years old. The young man is taken to the heights of the mountains where he learns to meditate on the natural and spiritual world.

In our Western culture, the Mamo would be both a priest, a teacher and a doctor.

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - # Polaroid concept # Sierra neveda # INSIDE OUT
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# Polaroid concept # Sierra neveda # INSIDE OUT

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - EL POPORO . April 2018 Colombie
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EL POPORO . April 2018 Colombie

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - PICTURE AND MEMORY # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA
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PICTURE AND MEMORY # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - PURA VIDA # SIERRA NEVADA # 3500 M ALT
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PURA VIDA # SIERRA NEVADA # 3500 M ALT

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - CHAMAN NIGHT # 2018 # SIERRA NEVADA # COLOMBIA
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CHAMAN NIGHT # 2018 # SIERRA NEVADA # COLOMBIA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - NATURAL MYSTIC # INDIAN ARHUACOS # APRIL 2018
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NATURAL MYSTIC # INDIAN ARHUACOS # APRIL 2018

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