Supporting the Elder Mamos

Guardians of Ancient Wisdom and Spiritual Balance

Preserving Sacred Knowledge and Balance

For thousands of years, the Elder Mamos of the Kogi people have served as the spiritual guardians of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—one of the world’s most unique and biologically diverse mountain ecosystems. They are not political leaders, but highly respected spiritual authorities whose lifelong responsibility is to maintain harmony between nature, humanity, and the invisible forces that sustain all life.

From early childhood, future Mamos undergo decades of traditional spiritual training. Guided by senior elders, they learn to understand the natural laws of the universe, the sacred relationship between all living beings, and the responsibilities entrusted to them by their ancestors. Their wisdom is passed down exclusively through oral tradition and direct mentorship, preserving an unbroken cultural lineage that has survived for countless generations.

The knowledge carried by the Elder Mamos is not only invaluable to the Kogi people—it represents a unique way of understanding humanity’s relationship with nature. Their teachings remind us that the wellbeing of rivers, forests, mountains, oceans, animals, and people is deeply interconnected.

Ancient Wisdom, Timeless Balance

Wisdom of the Past, Balance for the Future

Through this project, we provide support for:
* Daily living expenses and basic wellbeing of Elder Mamos.
* Transportation to remote sacred sites where ceremonies and spiritual work take place.
* Traditional ceremonies and cultural practices essential for maintaining spiritual balance.
* Documentation and preservation of oral history, ancestral teachings, and Indigenous knowledge—with full respect for Kogi cultural protocols.
* Apprenticeship opportunities where younger generations can learn directly from senior Mamos through traditional methods.
* Protection of sacred places that remain central to the Kogi worldview and their spiritual responsibilities.
* Community-led initiatives that strengthen cultural continuity and preserve one of humanity’s oldest living knowledge systems.

By supporting the Elder Mamos, you are helping preserve an irreplaceable living heritage, protecting Indigenous wisdom that has guided environmental stewardship for thousands of years, and ensuring that future generations can continue learning from one of the world’s oldest continuous spiritual traditions.

Support the guardians who continue to protect the Heart of the World.

A Historic Victory for Nature

In 2026 Colombia officially protected more than 1.5 million hectares of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta through Resolution 0663. This represents one of the most important conservation victories in recent years.