About 5 years ago, during my first stay in Colombia, we hiked through a national park, Parque Tayrona. It is known for its incredible biodiversity and the natural spectacle that occurs when the wild mountain jungle flows directly into the Caribbean Sea. Even back then, during our hike through the national park, we encountered white-clad tribespeople. Sometimes accompanied by a donkey or a mule, usually with a cheek full of coca. Back then, I felt extremely alienated by this culture that was so different, yet at the same time so fascinated by it.
,{"key":"2bgma","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"fippd","text":"An excursion into this tribe and its connection to cacao:\nThe Arhuacos once lived in the entire area between the dreamlike Caribbean beaches and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Their vision, then as now, is the unification of polarities—heaven and earth, male and female, mountains and sea—in order to maintain the earth's fragile balance. Their spirituality includes the personification of nature as one of their own tribal members, whose health and well-being must be protected. They are in close communication with their environment. Most deeply connected to their culture is their spiritual leader, the so-called Mamo. He represents the medium who communicates between their 121 (nature) deities and the tribe. The Mamo carries the knowledge of the plants, the mountains, and the gods, and makes it accessible to the Arhuaco tribe. \n\nThat is the theory! Because since the arrival of the great explorers about 600 years ago, the Arhuacos have experienced setbacks in many respects. They were forced to give up large tracts of land, especially in coastal regions, to settlers in order to avoid violent conflicts. Along with this, they lost their connection to these parts of nature. They were and in part still are forced to live in high mountain regions and feed themselves from the barren landscape around them. Now, after 6 generations of this limited life, for a few years now, for the first time since Columbus, the Arhuacos have regained access to the sea and thus the possibility to reunite this polarity that is so important to them.\n \nUnfortunately, in 600 years of \"absence,\" much of the knowledge regarding the flora and fauna prevalent on the coast has been lost. Including, of course, the cacao.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":0,"length":61,"style":"BOLD"},{"offset":870,"length":15,"style":"BOLD"},{"offset":1753,"length":5,"style":"BOLD"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}}],"entityMap":{},"VERSION":"8.69.22"}'>
Just 5 years later, I find myself back in the same region. But this time, not because of the breathtaking nature. This time, I am drawn by a very special bean, called Businchari (translated: New Beginning), cultivated by that very same tribe that fascinated me back then. If someone had told me back then that I would one day return to buy cacao beans from the Arhuacos of the Sierra Nevada—I would not have believed it.
Now, through the help of Jan and Original Beans, it is almost a natural progression...
Original Beans has been working with the Arhuacos for quite some time now and is closely involved in their development related to cacao. The Businchari has made it from very remote corners of the national park down into the Arhuacos' reforested food forests, primarily thanks to their help. It is believed that it holds the origin of the Criollo Blanco, which migrated as far as the Amazon rainforest.
An excursion into this tribe and its connection to cacao: The Arhuacos once lived in the entire area between the dreamlike Caribbean beaches and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
Their vision, then as now, is the unification of polarities—heaven and earth, male and female, mountains and sea—in order to maintain the earth's fragile balance.
Their spirituality includes the personification of nature as one of their own tribal members, whose health and well-being must be protected. They are in close communication with their environment.
Most deeply connected to their culture is their spiritual leader, the so-called Mamo. He represents the medium who communicates between their 121 (nature) deities and the tribe. The Mamo carries the knowledge of the plants, the mountains, and the gods, and makes it accessible to the Arhuaco tribe. That is the theory!
Because since the arrival of the great explorers about 600 years ago, the Arhuacos have experienced setbacks in many respects.
They were forced to give up large tracts of land, especially in coastal regions, to settlers in order to avoid violent conflicts. Along with this, they lost their connection to these parts of nature.
They were and in part still are forced to live in high mountain regions and feed themselves from the barren landscape around them.
Now, after 6 generations of this limited life, for a few years now, for the first time since Columbus, the Arhuacos have regained access to the sea and thus the possibility to reunite this polarity that is so important to them. Unfortunately, in 600 years of "absence," much of the knowledge regarding the flora and fauna prevalent on the coast has been lost. Including, of course, the cacao.
Unfortunately, in 600 years of "absence," much of the knowledge regarding the flora and fauna prevalent on the coast has been lost. Including, of course, the cacao.
With the help of Original Beans and the rediscovery of the Businchari tree, a new beginning for the Arhuacos is truly happening. They are now re-exploring the surroundings that were once their home and learning to utilize them again. Such an important step, which we can now support through the purchase of their original cacao beans. Seen to the right is the great tree under which the Arhuacos repeatedly gather to discuss important matters and celebrate their tribal culture. It is a great honor for us to be able to get to know and appreciate these sacred places of the Arhuacos.
Before my trip, I wasn't really aware of the significance and the symbolism that cacao holds for the Arhuacos. After the days I spent with them, I not only understand it, but I can feel it.
By purchasing a total of 300 kilograms of these special cacao beans, we are sending a signal from the outside to the tribespeople, saying: "You, as well as your work, are important to the greater whole."
The cocoa beans have already been loaded onto a cargo sailboat. I don't know when they will arrive, I don't know how we will process them, and I cannot predict how the cocoa we make from them will taste. All I know is that it was the right and important thing to do at this moment.
Thanks to Jan and Original Beans for this unique opportunity, thanks to Anka for the wonderful support and the great camera work.
I feel blessed and challenged at the same time.
Wow.
In deep humility,
Your Mischa
Wow.
In deep humility,
Your Mischa
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Chuncho -
Piura Blanco -
ChunchoKakao Mischa
The Chuncho Gift Bundle: Ceremonial Cacao bars with Instructions and Affirmations
8,50 €(283,33 € / kg)Unavailable -
Piura Blanco
Comments
Lieber Mischa und natürlich das ganze Kakaouniversum drumrum,
ich habe mir eines der besonderen Herzen des Kakaos der Arhuacos bestellt.
Ihn auszupacken war besonders besonders. Noch mehr als sonst. Der erste Geruch spannend, leicht verbrannter Röstduft. Ich bereitete ihn mir zu. Als ich den Deckel öffnete, um ihn in die Tasse umzufüllen, stieg mir ein einzigartiger Duft in die Nase und mit ihm eine so kraftvolle Energie, das ich mich voller Demut fühlte und mir Tränen kamen.
Nun lese ich gerade die Geschichte des Volkes und wundere mich nicht, wie berührt ich allein vom Duft war. Alles Liebe zu euch und diesem besonderen Volk der Arhuacos.
Katja
Toll🤩
Danke🙏🏼