Visit to the Sierra Nevada
July 2024
RESUME
As the Cabildo took over the construction of the bridge with a significantly larger budget and claimed full responsibility, we are happy to embark on a new vision that preserves the essence of the Jakà project: creating a bridge/connection between their world and ours. We have reached an agreement with the Mamo and the Kogi community to purchase a piece of land near their territory, to creatte a platform for exchanges and connections.
SEE STORY IN DETAIL BELOW
We have just returned from a transformative month in Colombia and are eager to update you on the Jakà Project.
Here is what happened:
Following the end of the auction in October 2023, progress was slow until February 2024. The search for an engineer and affordable materials took longer than anticipated.
In February and March, our Colombian friends Maria Elvira and Jimmy secured an engineer, initiated the bridge design, and listed the necessary materials and production stages.
We also sought authorisation from the Cabildo, the Kogi’s authority, sort of legal council, to build the bridge.
Unfortunately, the project description caused unforeseen tensions, which only became clear once construction began.
By May, Jimmy and a team of Kogis were ready to start building. The initial phase involved land preparation, transporting sand and stones, and erecting temporary shelters for materials and builders.
NEW PROJECT
Though we have already used a quarter of our budget, we still have sufficient funds to pursue a new idea, which has been happily agreed upon by the Mamo and the community: we will purchase 1 hectares of land adjacent to their territories.
This will serve as a space for those interested in Kogi culture to research and exchange ideas, preserving indigenous wisdom. Projects include a seed bank, herbal medicine knowledge, ecosystem preservation, sustainable architecture, and more.
We hope you are joining our optimism on this project that will hopefully grow and flourish.
Jimmy, Maria Elvira, Nicole, Pascal and Gene
