The Teyuna, often associated with the descendants of the ancient Tayrona civilization, inhabit the highlands of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This mountain range, considered the “Heart of the World” in their cosmology, is central to their identity and spiritual practices. The Teyuna maintain a harmonious existence through their intricate knowledge of ecosystems, ancestral law, and ritual obligations that guide balance between humanity and nature. Their way of life is deeply rooted in reciprocity, sacred geography, and the transmission of spiritual wisdom through mamos, or spiritual leaders.
Despite their isolation, the Teyuna contend with a range of external threats. Deforestation, mining, drug trafficking, and tourism have disrupted ecosystems and infringed upon sacred territories. Armed conflict and displacement have historically impacted their sovereignty, while modern climate shifts threaten the delicate balance they’ve preserved for generations. These pressures have intensified the need for legal protections and ecological restoration of their ancestral lands, which are vital not only to their survival but also to
