Nabi Nunhue - Maastricht Housing

Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of the indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and the shamanic art of healing in Colombia
Project description and donation request
CONTENT
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Thirteen years Nabi Nunhue
Goals at a glance
Explanation of the goals
Pictures of the projec
Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
1. T HIRTEEN YEARS N ABI N UNHUE
Nabi Nunhue is a Colombian project for the preservation of the indigenous knowledge about
healing plants and the shamanic art of healing in Colombia. Nabi Nunhue means House of
the Jaguar in the Kogi language.
The project was founded in 2001 with support from the Dutch Foundation for Small
Development Projects (SKOP). Nabi Nunhue and SKOP have worked together in close
collaboration since then.
The project is led by the Colombia shaman Kajuyali
Tsamani. His life and work provide a unique bridge
between indigenous and Western knowledge. Over the
last 30 years, he has studied, trained and practiced with
various shamans of different tribes and traditions in
Colombia. He also brings together shamans from other
indigenous traditions around the world to exchange
knowledge. The valuable knowledge he embodies faces
near extinction as progressively fewer members of these
tribes are able to continue the traditions, and many of the
tribes themselves are disappearing.
Nabi Nunhue is located in the highlands of southern Colombia and extends to an area
of 9 hectares. This includes a large organic garden with medical plants, herbs, organic
agriculture and fruit trees. Six hectares are part of a protected nature reserve.
Also on the land are various ritual spaces used for ceremonies from different traditions.
These include La Loma, a ceremonial space in the Kogi tradition; the Inipi, a sweat lodge,
in the Lakota tradition; the Ochoka is a space for ceremonial dancing and music; Pacha
Manca, a circle where people cook food in the Inka tradition; and a ceremonial Moon space
dedicated to women.
The Maloka, is a large ceremonial hut (picture on the front page) where exchanges of
shamanic and cultural activities take place. In the past, shamans from different Colombian
tribes (Huitoto, Kofan and Camenza) visited the Maloka. More recently, regular visitors
include shamans from the Kogi, Guambiano and Sikuani tribes (all Colombian) and medicine
men and women from the Lakota (USA). The project has supported and inspired several
shamans and tribes to resume and preserve their traditional arts of healing.
Twice per year, Nabi Nunhue organises international events with participation from shamans
of various traditions. Every September equinox, Nabi Nunhue hosts an international event
with female shamans.
Nabi Nunhue collaborates with the Kogi people on an important project to restore their
historical gold artefacts. The Kogi are one of the last indigenous tribes of the Americas, that
continues to live according to its traditional values.
For more information on this project, visit: www.kogi-gold.com
Many visitors, both local and international, have found and continue to find personal healing
at Nabi Nunhue, and have acquired from it valuable and enriching knowledge about
shamanic culture and arts of healing.
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Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
View from the compound of volcano Las Galeras
2.
G OALS AT A GLAN CE
Short term goals
2.1
Expansion and increased efficiency of medical plant cultivation and organic
agriculture
2.2
Opening of a guesthouse
2.3
Construction of a space for individual healing treatment
2.4
Construction of an arts and crafts studio
Long term goals
2.5
Sustainable and self-sufficient water and energy systems
2.6
Acquisition of land for housing of members of Nabi Nunhue
2.7
Maintenance, protection and expansion of the nature reserve
2.8
Pachamili: opening of a temple with pre-Colombian shamanic pottery
General goals
2.9
Sharing and development of Shamanic knowledge
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Nabi Nunhue
3.
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
E XPLANATION OF THE GOALS
Short term goals
3.1
Expansion and increased efficiency of medical plant cultivation and
organic agriculture:
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Organic coffee: The coffee plantation will be expanded. Coffee will be sold as
a proprietary brand product with the name ‚Nabi Nunhue’, first to friends of the
project and later to a broader market. This will generate an income for the
project and for members of Nabi Nunhue.
Herb garden: The cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs will be expanded.
Seeds and plants will be bought and a plant nursery will be built. Plant
products and medicine will be produced and sold.
Compost: The system for composting will be expanded and optimised.
Garden storehouse: A shed will be built where products can be processed
and tools can be stored.
Beekeeping
3.2
Opening of a guesthouse:
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Nabi Nunhue recently acquired a neighbouring house. It will be renovated
and converted into a guesthouse. As soon as the guesthouse is opened,
friends of Nabi Nunhue will be invited to visit the project and stay there. This
will generate and income for the project and members of Nabi Nunhue.
3.3
Construction of a space for individual healing treatment:
A cabin will be built in a beautiful spot in nature where shamans and
others can perform individual treatments. It will also be used for meditation.
3.4
Construction of an arts and crafts studio:
Arts and crafts are important aspects of indigenous shamanic cultures.
A studio will be built and equipped with various artistic tools for working with
wood, ceramics, textile, etc. Adornments, jewellery and musical instruments
will also be made here. The studio will include a gold forge. Some products
will be sold to generate an income for the project and it’s members.
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Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
Long term goals
3.5
Sustainable and self-sufficient water and energy systems:
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A nearby piece of land with a water spring will be acquired. A facility for
transporting water from the spring to the irrigation system that covers the
compound will be installed.
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Installation of a facility for the re-cycling of rain water.
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Installation of a solar/water heating facility.
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Installation of solar panels for power generation.
3.6
Acquisition of land for housing of members of Nabi Nunhue
3.7
Maintenance, protection and expansion of the nature reserve:
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The nature reserve shall be expanded by 20 hectares.
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Nature trails will be improved and new trails built.
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Former agricultural area will be reforested.
3.8
Pachamili:
A large collection of beautiful pottery has been offered to
Nabi Nunhue. The pieces were made by pre-Columbian
tribes that lived in the region. A temple will be built where
the objects will be displayed so that they can be honoured
and used in accordance with the shamanic traditions for
which they were created.
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Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
General goals
3.9
Sharing and development of Shamanic knowledge:
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Medicinal plant and organic agriculture workshops will continue.
International events involving shamans from different tribes will continue.
These events allow for the exchange of knowledge between shamans of
different traditions and others who are interested in learning.
The project activities are meant as an example and inspiration to others at the
local, national and international levels.
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4.
PICTURES OF THE PROJ ECT
The guesthouse for events
The construction of the Maloka in 2002
Botanic garden
Exchange of plant knowledge
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Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
Ochoka
Kogi shamans
Taita Juan Bautista, Camenza
International shamanic event in Pasto with
Kajuyali Tsamani and Iktomi Sha, Lakota
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Nabi Nunhue
A project for the preservation of indigenous knowledge
about healing plants and shamanic art of healing
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