Weaving knowledge between the ancestral and the contemporary: a project by the Consejo Ancestral Willka Yaku and MAMM
Tejiendo saberes entre lo ancestral y lo contemporáneo is a meeting space that links ancestral knowledge with contemporary artistic practices. This project, framed within the JUNTXS call of the Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y los Saberes, explored the relationship between art, the rights of indigenous peoples, and climate justice through rituals, performances, palabreos, and lectures that took place both in Medellín and in the ancestral Misak reservation in Silvia, Cauca, during the months of October and November 2024.
During the events in Medellín, held from Monday, September 30, to Friday, October 4, during the opening of the exhibition El espacio en medio. Visiones del arte indígena en el mundo, interaction was promoted between indigenous artists from countries such as Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Samoa, along with diverse audiences, inviting reflection on themes such as memory, identity, and our connection with the Earth. Activities included a sharing circle, performances, talks, and a series of conversations that brought together indigenous voices and contemporary perspectives from different parts of the world.
Meanwhile, in Silvia, Cauca, from Friday, November 8 through Sunday, November 10, the Minga Territorial: Mandatos de la Tierra took place—a space of collective thought and action that brought together representatives from communities and artistic practices of the Colombian Pacific. This gathering emphasized the importance of the transmission of knowledge from the territory and the spoken word, highlighting its fundamental role in cultural and environmental preservation.
This gathering brought together the socialization and presentation of results from the #18SRAPacífico and the JUNTXS project, which supported all activities held at Ala Kusreik Ya, the Misak University in Silvia, Cauca. It was an invaluable occasion to learn about projects from various territories across Colombia, linked to ancestral, environmental, and artistic themes.
The project reaffirms the commitment of the Consejo Ancestral Willka Yaku and the MAMM to inclusion, cultural diversity, and the strengthening of ties between urban and rural communities, positioning art as a bridge to build a more just and sustainable coexistence.
Winner of the JUNTXS: circulation and collaboration in visual and plastic arts – Phase 2 grant from the Program for the strengthening of circulation spaces and projects, and for promoting collaborative work by the Visual and Plastic Arts Group of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge. Supported by Fundación Arteria.
