The Awa people of Colombia resist violence, maintaining a 'spiritual bond' with nature

The Awa of Colombia are an indigenous people who have been threatened by armed groups in the country's southwest rainforest for decades, but insist on protecting the environment they claim to be “connected” to.

As environmental policy leaders gather for the largest biodiversity summit in the South American nation, Awas unites the struggle for the survival of indigenous peoples and the protection of forests.

“The people of Awa have been protesting for 500 years. Against attacks, discrimination, armed groups, forced recruitment and expulsion, cultural change,” said Olivio Bisbicus, one of the leaders of this community of nearly 50,000.

“Being the chief of Awa is complicated and dangerous,” he said. “Drug trafficking brings evil, territorial tensions and the destruction of our culture and environment.”

The full name of this group, Inkal Awa, means “People of the forest” in the language of their ancestors.

They live in the mountainous jungles of Colombia and neighboring Ecuador.

“Three armed groups are fighting for this border area, which is a drug-trafficking hub in the Pacific” that is also full of illegal gold mines, Alex Javier Gonzalez, chief of the Narino district, told AFP.

The situation is “critical for Awas,” he said.

– 'Danger of Extinction' –

Colombia's justice system has documented 25 years of violence against the Awas, who are embroiled in conflict with the FARC guerrillas, warning of “the risk of physical, cultural and spiritual extermination.”

Between 1990 and 2016, terrorists killed 185 Awas. The killings continued after the 2016 peace accord.

An estimated 22 members of this group were killed in 2022, including a prominent leader who was shot dead by the men he was supposed to negotiate with.

Most indigenous communities in Colombia are “at risk of extinction” due to pressure from gangs involved in drug cultivation and trafficking, Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told AFP.

“The violent competition for land is intense,” he said.

In early 2023, the ombudsman offices of Colombia and Ecuador issued a joint warning about the future of the Awa people.

The Constitutional Court of Colombia has repeatedly asked for their protection.

But the new violence claimed the lives of three other men in Awa at the end of August, according to Unipa, the organization that represents them.

“However, they are still standing,” said Gonzalez. “The Awas were able to control their lands.”

– 'Spiritual obligation' –

Gilles Bertrand, the European Union's ambassador to Colombia, describes the group's struggle as “symbolic.”

“They show great courage,” he said.

Armed only with sticks and a principle of non-violence, Unipa's indigenous guards, made up of 2,000 volunteers, work to protect the environment.

“When we are faced with weapons, we have nothing. But we have conversations, our knowledge about our ancestors, who we are, our authorities, our presence here for hundreds of years,” said Bisbicus.

“We have managed to maintain the unity of our people, and we want respect for our territory. Our world is not a battlefield,” he added.

The Awas are also characterized by what they call a “spiritual bond” with their land.

“The garden is a place to live, where we live with nature, animals and spirits. Nature is our mother,” said Wilmer Rigoberto Bisbicus, coordinator at Nutria, a private nature reserve.

About 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level, La Nutria hides an attractive waterfall overlooking a green valley.

“It rains a lot here. This water is not life,” said Alvaro Pai, who is the director of the area.

“The waterfall listens and heals you,” she said.

Described by the European Union ambassador as an “ambitious project for peace and ecotourism,” Nutria's 365 hectares are home to 185 species of birds, butterflies and frogs.

“We must take care of the world, because we come from it, we learn from it, and we will return to it,” said Olivio Bisbicus.

“The further we get away from it, the more we hurt ourselves.”

hba/dr/aha