ARHUACOS PEOPLES - Human Rights Legal Support

ARHUACOS INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

The Arhuacos are a tribe of approximately 46,000 people who make their home in different parts of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Columbia. These People still maintain their ancient customs, traditions and strive to preserve a natural sustainability, which aims to keep a balance with the elements of nature and man.

INTI RAYMI’S PROJECT

The Inti Raymi Fund Project was for the direct support for the Arhuacos of Colombia.  We found out about the Arahuacos Black Line Issue while attending the annual United Nations Conference of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Arahuacos territory covers an area roughly 195,000 hectares (753 sq. miles) of land of which, only 12% to 20% of it is used for agricultural purposes. The remaining territory is dedicated to the conservation and protection of water sources, deserts, biological corridors and sacred ceremonial sites. These lands are also used for the production of materials related to their cultural practices such as mochilas, a type of handwoven bag.