Protecting the Heart of the World
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions and home to the Kogi people, guardians of an ancient wisdom that teaches humanity how to live in balance with
nature.
Together with Indigenous communities, we protect sacred territories, preserve ancestral knowledge, and support conservation initiatives that safeguard the Heart of the World for future generations.
The Heart of the World
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rises from the Caribbean coast to snow-capped peaks over 5,700 meters high, creating one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth. Recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, it is home to thousands of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world.
For the Kogi people, the Sierra Nevada is far more than a mountain range. It is the Heart of the World – a living center that connects nature, humanity, and the spiritual forces that sustain life.
For thousands of years, the Kogi have acted as guardians of this sacred territory. Guided by the Law of Origin (Ley de Origen), they maintain a profound understanding of the relationship between rivers, forests, mountains, wildlife, and human communities.
Today, this extraordinary region faces increasing pressures from climate change, deforestation, land degradation, and the loss of traditional knowledge.
Together with Indigenous communities, we support the protection of sacred territories, traditional education, cultural preservation, biodiversity conservation, and long-term projects that strengthen the relationship between people and nature.
By protecting the Heart of the World, we help preserve one of humanity’s most valuable living treasures.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta by supporting environmental conservation, safeguarding sacred lands, and working alongside Indigenous communities to preserve their ancestral wisdom.
At Heart of the World Foundation, our mission is rooted in the belief that protecting nature and preserving Indigenous knowledge are inseparable.
We support initiatives that conserve rainforests, rivers, biodiversity, and sacred sites while empowering Indigenous communities to continue their role as guardians of one of the most important
ecosystems on Earth.
Through conservation, education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we strive to ensure that future generations inherit a world where nature and humanity exist in balance.
WHO ARE THE KOGI?
The Kogi people have lived in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta for centuries, preserving a way of life
deeply connected to nature and spiritual balance.
Following the Spanish conquest, their ancestors retreated into the higher regions of the mountains,
where they maintained their traditions, language, and cultural identity.
Today, the Kogi are recognized worldwide for their unique worldview and their message that
humanity must restore balance with nature to ensure the future of life on Earth.
Their knowledge, passed down through generations, continues to guide how they care for the
forests, rivers, sacred sites, and ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada.
The Sacred Black Line (Línea Negra)
The Sacred Black Line (Línea Negra) is a network of 348 sacred sites surrounding the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Marta, connecting rivers, mountains, forests, lagoons, wetlands, and the Caribbean
coastline into one interconnected living system.
For the Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada – the Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa, and Kankuamo – the
Black Line represents far more than geographical boundaries. It is a sacred spiritual map that defines
the relationship between humanity, nature, and the invisible forces that sustain life. Every site plays a
vital role in maintaining balance within what Indigenous communities call the Heart of the World.
Through ceremonies, offerings, prayers, and traditional stewardship, Indigenous authorities have
protected these sacred places for thousands of years, preserving not only cultural heritage but also
some of Colombia’s most important ecosystems and watersheds.
MEET THE ELDERS
Mamos
The Mamos are the spiritual authorities and wisdom keepers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. From an early age, they undergo decades of traditional training to learn the Law of Origin, perform sacred ceremonies, and uphold the responsibility of maintaining balance between humanity and nature. Their guidance is essential to protecting the Heart of the World and preserving ancestral wisdom for future generations.
Francisco Zarabata
Community leader and liaison between the Kogi communities, traditional authorities, and international partners. Francisco helps coordinate conservation initiatives, traditional education programs, and cultural preservation efforts while ensuring that all activities remain aligned with the needs, values, and Law of Origin of the Kogi people.
Alja Dimic
Co-Founder of the Heart of the World Foundation and international project coordinator. Alja works closely with Kogi communities and traditional authorities to build global partnerships, secure funding, raise awareness, and support long-term conservation, education, and cultural preservation projects while ensuring they respect the Law of Origin and the wishes of the Indigenous communities.
Jacinto Zarabata
Co-Founder of the Heart of the World Foundation and Indigenous representative of the Kogi people. Jacinto works closely with the Mamos and community leaders to preserve ancestral knowledge, protect sacred territories, strengthen traditional education, and ensure that all foundation initiatives remain guided by the Law of Origin and the values of the Kogi people.
Volunteer Network
Our volunteers work alongside the Mamos, Indigenous communities, families, and traditional authorities to support education, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community development. Together, they help protect ancestral knowledge, strengthen traditional governance, and ensure that sustainable practices continue to benefit future generations.
Jacinto Zarabata
Co-Founder of the Heart of the World Foundation and Indigenous representative of the Kogi people. Jacinto works closely with the Mamos and community leaders to preserve ancestral knowledge, protect sacred territories, strengthen traditional education, and ensure that all foundation initiatives remain guided by the Law of Origin and the values of the Kogi people.
Alja Dimic
Co-Founder of the Heart of the World Foundation and international project coordinator. Alja works closely with Kogi communities and traditional authorities to build global partnerships, secure funding, raise awareness, and support long-term conservation, education, and cultural preservation projects while ensuring they respect the Law of Origin and the wishes of the Indigenous communities.
Mamos
The Mamos are the spiritual authorities and wisdom keepers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. From an early age, they undergo decades of traditional training to learn the Law of Origin, perform sacred ceremonies, and uphold the responsibility of maintaining balance between humanity and nature. Their guidance is essential to protecting the Heart of the World and preserving ancestral wisdom for future generations.
Francisco Zarabata
Community leader and liaison between the Kogi communities, traditional authorities, and international partners. Francisco helps coordinate conservation initiatives, traditional education programs, and cultural preservation efforts while ensuring that all activities remain aligned with the needs, values, and Law of Origin of the Kogi people.
Volunteer Network
Our volunteers work alongside the Mamos, Indigenous communities, families, and traditional authorities to support education, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community development. Together, they help protect ancestral knowledge, strengthen traditional governance, and ensure that sustainable practices continue to benefit future generations.