Colombia

Vegetable garden and surfing for the Kogui

Biobizz had the opportunity to visit the Kogui people in the upper part of the Buritaca River. Descendants of the Tayrona who inhabit the northern part of Imakagámba, Colombia, the Kogui reside in the Kágaba community and speak their native language, Kaugiañ.

This community lives in circular huts made of palm leaves and engages in subsistence agriculture. They reside in villages, collectively organized and respecting the authority of the Mamo, a tribal priest who spiritually guides a community deeply connected to the land.

Upon contacting them, the Mamo requested assistance in diversifying their crops to maintain their self-sufficiency. Thus began an adventure that involved bringing water from the river to the community and creating a garden where the Kogui learned to cultivate additional vegetables, ensuring their subsistence and dietary variety.

The Biobizz foundation had several motivations for the project with the Kogui. Firstly, to impart agricultural skills and support the flourishing of this wonderful community, and secondly, to promote a healthy and, above all, enjoyable lifestyle for the community’s children. The Biobizz Foundation donated a shipment of surfboards and equipment to teach the Kogui children, many of whom had never seen the sea, how to surf the waves, promoting a rich internal culture of sport lifestyle. This was done with the help of Nacho Gonzalez and Kepa Acero, two surfers from northern Spain who were able to teach the children how to surf and share their sports knowledge, offering advice on how to stay safe in the sea.