TRADITION-FUTURE, A PROJECT IN COLOMBIAN AMAZON

 

The idea of this workshop began in Germany, as people who participated at the workshops organized by ETHNOMED in Munich expressed their interest about personal experiences in the practices of the shamans. In Germany, these can be only done partially, mostly in a pure theoretical and informative way.

 

Besides the above, it is necessary to find a place, where it becomes clear, that the possibility of a future is based on nothing but a mythic living of the present, which is taught by the ancestors in many traditions.

 

Colombia and more specific the Amazon are part of the imaginary picture of contemporary men. The distortion of our land’s image spread by the mass media pushes the fertility for spiritual growth of colombian people to a dark background, as well as their huge joy in life, though being affected by conflictive situations. The region of the Amazon represents on the other side an infinite potential of biological diversity and richness of cultures, as a living motivation against the boring uniformity of the global world.

 

Being in touch with inhabitants of the first world allows us to strengthen our values, which are on the way to get lost because of the illusions caused by consumption and the false development, which destroys the nature.

 

Therefore we have organized an event for 15 days in Leticia, a safe and peaceful city in the Amazon, starting on August/5, 2002, it will cover the following topics:

1)      Getting to know the region of the Amazon.

2)      Scientific activities at the “Universidad Nacional de Colombia” in Leticia.

3)      Direct contact to ethnic groups of the region: Tikunas, Yukunas, Huitotos, etc, meant to reinforce their autarchy and intention to maintain their cultural treasure.

4)      Real healing activities with shamans, in groups and individually.

5)      Informative workshops with non-indigenous inhabitants of Leticia, to highlight the actual importance of ethnomedicine in the world and to try to explain why it has awakened Europe’s interest.

 

ARRIVAL:

London-Bogotá, on Monday, August 5 with British Airways (actually, it offers the lowest prices). One night stay at a hotel in Bogotá..

Bogotá-Leticia, on Tuesday, August 6, with Aerorepública. Departure: 6AM. Duration: two hours, 15 minutes, approximately.

RECOMMENDED:

Rubber boots, light dress with long sleeves, a light rain coat, a flashlight, mosquito net, insect-repellent, life-vest for the trips in the river. All but the life vest can be bought in Leticia. The vest should be brought in advance.

SALUBRITY CONDITIONS:

The city isn’t a place of special risk of acquiring tropical diseases. Nevertheless it is advised to have the vaccination against yellow fever, prophylaxis against paludism, is a personal option. As always, it is recommended to have an international health insurance and drinking only bottled water. Never from the aqueduct.

Leticia is a safe city, which can be deduced from the large number of foreign visitors. There is little risk of theft or robbery. The city has airport, hospital, university, fax and e-mail services. It is always under surveillance of the police, the army and the marine.

 

Shamanism is decodification. The specific activities will be announced, prior arrival in Colombia.