" The LAST GUARDIANS "

Colombia, in a family that I could ask an intimate look "INSIDE OUT" a look from the inside out and for the outside. An atypical approach, an extreme expedition. A rare intimacy, in a forbidden zone since January 17, 2016. In the heart of the protected area of the Arhuacos Indians.

Statement of intent :

" The Last Guardian" is a photographic experience of life in the heart of a family of the tribe Arhuacos Indians in Colombia between 2000 meters and 4000 meters in forbidden zone of access to non Indian. These populations, also called "peoples first", " Roots' or indigenous peoples constitute at least 5,000 human groups representing 370 million people living in more than 70 countries on five continents. On 29 June 2006, the Human Rights Council adopted the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. the rights of indigenous peoples, which the General Assembly endorsed on September 13, 2007. Yet how many mining, oil, (de) forestry, agro-industrial and

electric, are conceived and realized on their territories, as if these people did not exist.

The Human project "Hermanito" to go live with the other in a spirit of adventure begins on November 8, 2017. On this first trip of 2 months, Colombia is about to live a

radical social and economic change. This is my feeling. How do the sons and grandsons of these Aboriginal peoples of our new era live?

the transformation of ancestral and mythological culture towards a cultural leisure society like ours? What impact do these mutations have on the cultural and spiritual scene and on safeguarding their sacred area?

Do these changes leave room for an alternative mutation? Can the economic emergence of a large country like Colombia be conducive to the production of a controlled protection of this universal historical legacy of Aboriginal peoples?

These are the questions that the long-shot photos, with a personal vision in

its natural environment will be debated. Far from the ethnologist's eye who seeks only differences between peoples, far from the witness and voyeurism who does not live the action and does not take the time to feel and feel, I returned in March / April 2018 as usual to try to express myself in the slowness and duration, to grasp the subtleties to find a way, an intimate and unique vision. Surely similarities to our universalism to all. A work in several parts, and on two different techniques, film photography with film and in digital. I plan for the year 2019, 3 sessions one in April, September and December 2019.

The confidence that this family brings to me by opening me their intimacy, will allow an exceptional inheritance under the prism of the Image, a Heritage common to all, of a mythical people descending of the Mayans and Tayrona Indians, a cultural wealth without equivalence. A tribute to our purest Universality.

SIERRA NEVADA DE SANTA MARTA is about 17,000 km2. On this vast surface, cohabit a population of a great diversity and juxtaposes a multiplicity of jurisdictions, administrative, political and environmental. In addition to the four indigenous communities, Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo, original peoples of the SNSM.

Sierra Nevada was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1979 by UNESCO. Resolution No. 002 of January 17, 2016, states that "the ban on entry of tourists into the reserve and indigenous territory of the Arhuaco people of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta", was taken by the Arhuaco Guard of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.

The traditional indigenous authorities of the Arhuaco people in the exercise of the powers conferred on the original law, the constitution and other relevant standards, consider as the tourist trade and the presence of members outside the Arhuaco people, especially the activities who contribute to religious indoctrination or other non-traditional uses and customs, has been considered detrimental to the cultural, social and economic integrity of communities and their members, which has long been banned in Arhuaco territory .

The highest point of the Sierra Nevada massif is more than 5,000 meters high. Emerging

of the Caribbean coast, the lowlands are covered with tropical forests and

turn savannas and forests into mists at altitude.For the Indians, Sierra Nevada is the center of the world. It is surrounded by a 'line black invisible which connects the sacred sites of their ancestors and delimits their territory.

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 balance of

the universe. When there are hurricanes, periods of drought or famine in the world,

they claim to be responsible for man's failure to maintain the harmony of the world.

The equilibrium is established by making offerings to the sacred sites to return to the earth that

which was taken from him.

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - prohibited area to non-Indian
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prohibited area to non-Indian

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - World exclusive to be able to penetrate the sacred zone
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World exclusive to be able to penetrate the sacred zone

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - " We are the guardians of the earth " , Sierra Nevada Colombie .Indian Arhuacos
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" We are the guardians of the earth " , Sierra Nevada Colombie .Indian Arhuacos

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - April 2018 , Sierra Nevada 3300M .Indian Arhuacos , restricted zone .
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April 2018 , Sierra Nevada 3300M .Indian Arhuacos , restricted zone .

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - Indian Arhuacos , Colombie. Nov 2017.
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Indian Arhuacos , Colombie. Nov 2017.

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - "The Trinity , Fragile Balance " . Sierra Nevada ,Colombie . Dec 2017 . 3500 M alt.
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"The Trinity , Fragile Balance " . Sierra Nevada ,Colombie . Dec 2017 . 3500 M alt.

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - Sierra Nevada # Colombie # April 2018 # 3500m alt #
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Sierra Nevada # Colombie # April 2018 # 3500m alt #

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - " Ancestral wisdom " , Sierra Nevada 3500M Colombie .Restricted zone . 3300 M alt.
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" Ancestral wisdom " , Sierra Nevada 3500M Colombie .Restricted zone . 3300 M alt.

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - WE ARE THE GUARDIANS OF THE EARTH # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA APRIL 2018
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WE ARE THE GUARDIANS OF THE EARTH # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA APRIL 2018

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - INTIMITY # ARHUACOS INDIAN # SIERRA NEVADA
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INTIMITY # ARHUACOS INDIAN # SIERRA NEVADA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - LINA MARCELA # ARHUACA WOMAN # COLOMBIA # SIERRA NEVADA
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LINA MARCELA # ARHUACA WOMAN # COLOMBIA # SIERRA NEVADA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - SIERRA NEVADA # COLOMBIA # INDIAN ARHUACOS
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SIERRA NEVADA # COLOMBIA # INDIAN ARHUACOS

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - Image from the " The LAST GUARDIANS " photography project
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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.

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - THE GUARDIANS OF NATURE # SIERRA NEVADA # COLOMBIA
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THE GUARDIANS OF NATURE # SIERRA NEVADA # COLOMBIA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - DEC 2017 # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA
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DEC 2017 # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - APRIL 2018 # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA
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APRIL 2018 # SIERRA NEVADA COLOMBIA

© françois Maurel Ravololoarisoa - Witness of history in action # 2017
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Witness of history in action # 2017

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