This report is one of the two winners of the indigenous journalism contest organized by Survival International, democraciaAbeirta and El Espectador.
The Wiwa territory is in the mountains. Specifically, in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta between the areas of Cesar, Guajira and Magdalena, in the Northeast of the country. From an early age, the Wiwa have become accustomed to crossing it barefoot, despite the narrow roads which are bordered by steep cliffs.
They weave whilst their child is hanging on their front, in a backpack. They have big solid feet, with legs that never seem to tire, and the landscape looks like it has been painted. Dependent on the time of year, it might be covered in greenery or if the sun has dried everything up, covered in earth tones. To get to Rongoy, where a part of the Wiwa live, you have a go up a long and winding road, perhaps this is why the “white hand” or tourism hasn’t yet reached this northern area yet.
