We were fortunate to spend time with a Kogi community near the Lost City, who explained to us how important nature is for their lifestyle. First, they showed us their huts made of tree bark and palm leaves in detailed patterns. Next, the chief elder, who is the head person in charge of the community, explained family practices that change based on astronomical signs from the stars and moon. Later that evening, two of the Kogi men explained how chewing the coca leaf is a sacred ritual. For that reason, they constantly carry a coca leaf around with them, and are constantly chewing it! We even got to try coca tea which made my mouth a bit numb.
When we were leaving the next day, we saw a few of the Kogi children gathering water and bathing in a small, nearby stream. It is difficult to tell the difference between the Kogi boys and girls, since they both have long hair. However, there's a way to distinguish them: the girls carry bags, and the boys have a rope around their waists. It was funny how they knew that we might have candy, and were constantly yelling, "DULCE DULCE!" It was hard to say no, so we usually gave them candy if we had it.
For many years, from about 1960 - 2000, the communities in the Sierra Nevada were negatively affected by changes happening throughout Colombia. During that time, drug traffickers and rebel soldiers fighting the government, spread out throughout areas in the Sierra Nevada to take advantage of the natural resources. For example, many drug traffickers took the surplus of coca plant to create illegal drugs.
This was harmful to the indigenous groups in many different ways.
