Schikwakala book (officially not published yet) and the project Munekan Masha are fascinating initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between the traditional knowledge of the Kogui people and the Western scientific perspective. The collaboration between the British filmmaker Alan Ereira, the Kogui community, and UNESCO highlights the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, particularly in the context of preserving the landscape and sacred sites, cultural dialogue and understanding.
The incorporation of digital technologies to convey the Kogui’s highly spiritual world to a contemporary audience is an innovative approach. It offers the potential to create a more immersive and engaging experience, allowing viewers to explore the sacred places and rituals in a way that traditional media might not capture fully.
Image source: From the video Kogi Knowledge: Learning Planet Festival. (Clark & Gault, 2023).
The juxtaposition of two different worlds, the Western scientific knowledge and the Kogui worldview, adds depth to the project. The challenge of understanding the Kogui language and way of thinking reflects the complexities of cultural exchange and emphasizes the importance of effective communication in such collaborations. The mention of sacred masks as ritual instruments adds another layer to the narrative. Exploring the significance of these masks, both in terms of their cultural importance and their role in rituals, could provide a rich and insightful angle for the project.
Overall, combining storytelling, digital technologies, and a playful narrative approach can create a powerful means of conveying the profound spiritual aspects of the Kogui culture to a broader audience. It’s a unique opportunity to foster cross-cultural appreciation and understanding, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity despite cultural differences.
Photo source: Jaroslava Šnajberková, Kággaba, 2022.
We are the Mamas. With the knowledge of all things, material and spiritual. We know that you are destroying the world. You need our help. (Ereira, 1990).
The encounter between Alan Ereira and the Kogui community in 1990, and the subsequent realization of a new generation of Spanish-speaking Kogui, highlights the dynamic nature of cultural exchange over time. The transition from a community without Spanish language knowledge to one that now includes Spanish speakers suggests an evolving cultural landscape. The astonishment expressed by Ereira during Mama Jose Manuel’s visit to London underscores the idea that indigenous knowledge systems, such as those held by the Kogui, may offer insights and perspective that Western societies have not yet considered. This realization emphasizes the importance of humility and openness when engaging with different cultures, acknowledging that there may be knowledge beyond our current understanding.
Image source: From the video Kogi Knowledge: Learning Planet Festival. (Clark & Gault, 2023).
The challenge, how to ask questions about what the Kogui know without imposing Western frameworks, raises a fundamental point about cross-cultural communication. It requires a shift in perspective and a willingness to approach knowledge with an openness to different modes of understanding. The Kogui’s knowledge of the cosmos, starting with the concept of Aluna, introduces a unique worldview that contrasts with Western scientific approaches.
To explore how the Kogui know what they know, it might be beneficial to engage in a dialogue that respects their cultural and linguistic nuances. This involves asking questions that are sensitive to their worldview, allowing them to share their insights on the cosmos, consciousness, and the interconnectedness of life. This approach requires a departure from the traditional scientific method and an embrace of a more holistic, experiential, and narrative-based exploration. Collaborative projects, like the one initiated by Ereira, can foster mutual understanding and respect between cultures. By acknowledging the limitations of Western perspectives and embracing the richness of indigenous knowledge, we can contribute to a more inclusive and interconnected global dialogue.
In the beginning there was blackness, only the sea. In the beginning there was no sun, no moon, no people. In the beginning there were no animals, no plants, only the sea. The sea was the mother. The mother was not people, she was not anything, nothing at all. She was when she was. Spirit. She was memory and possibility. She was Aluna. And the the mother began to spin her thoughts. (Ereira, 1990).
Photo source: Jaroslava Šnajberková, Kággaba, 2022.
The Kogui perspective on the origin of concepts like water is rooted in their cosmology, which posits that everything is conceived in Aluna, the realm of cosmic consciousness, before manifesting in the physical world. This belief suggests a profound interconnectedness between the spiritual and physical realms, where ideas and entities exist in a preconceived state before materializing.
The idea that the Kogui astronomy is not focused on external space but on internal space reflects a holistic understanding of the universe. For them, the external and internal are intertwined, and one serves as a reflection or trace of the other. This is a departure from Western astronomy, which typically relies on external observations with tools like telescopes.
The notion that Mamas learn and grow in complete darkness from infancy aligns with the idea of nurturing the mind and spirit in a setting devoid of external distractions. It speaks to a different approach to knowledge acquisition and spiritual development compared to Western practices.
The Kogui’s perception of the landscape as a living organism, akin to the human body, is a metaphorical understanding that emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. When they speak of reforestation, it’s not just a physical act but a spiritual one. Each plant having a guardian and the necessity for blessings during seeding highlight the spiritual dimension inherent in their environmental practices.
The description of the Mama’s reforestation process, involving concentration and spiritual connection, underscores the importance of spirituality in their worldview. The failure of reforestation projects in the past, from the Kogui perspective, may be attributed to a lack of spiritual engagement, suggesting that the success of environmental initiatives is contingent on a deeper, spiritual connection to the land.
In understanding the Kogui language, it goes beyond literal translations. It involves delving into the cultural and spiritual nuances embedded in their words and practices. The act of reforestation, when viewed through their lens, becomes a sacred and spiritual endeavor, emphasizing the inseparable link between the physical and the metaphysical in their worldview.
Image source: Diagram from the book Shikwakala, showing what the landscape looks like to the Kogi Mamas. They see it as network of interconnecting ‘threads’ which interact at certain points to create ‘hubs’ which have particular kinds of energy. Image: from the video Kogi Knowledge: Learning Planet Festival. (Clark & Gault, 2023).
In Western societies, empirical evidence and observable phenomena often play a crucial role in shaping beliefs and understanding. The scientific method, which relies on observation, experimentation, and evidence, is a cornerstone of Western knowledge systems. On the other hand, the Kogui approach is rooted in a more holistic and spiritually-oriented worldview, where concepts like Aluna and internal space take precedence.
For effective communication, it’s essential to establish a shared language, not only in terms of spoken words but also in conceptual frameworks. This requires efforts from both sides to bridge the gap by translating and interpreting ideas in a way that is meaningful to the other.
Image source: Diagram from Shikwakala showing the ‘key places’ or esuamas through which places are connected even though they may be geographically far apart. They are also the places where the mamas work on the land. Image: from the video Kogi Knowledge: Learning Planet Festival. (Clark & Gault, 2023).
References:
Ereira, A. (1990) From the Heart of the World. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Clark, J. & Gault, R. (2023) Bringing the Land Back to Life, Interview with Alan Ereira. Beshara Magazine, Issue 24, 2023.
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