The Gonawindua Tayrona Organization was founded on January 21, 1987 by the Kogi, Arhuaco, and Wiwa peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The Gonawindua Tayrona organization is the only organization that represents the Kogi, Wiwa and Arhuaco peoples within its jurisdiction. The legal representative is the Cabildo Gobernador, Arregoces Conchakala Zarabata.

The reason for establishing a representative institution, something new for our culture, was defined by the spiritual authorities (Mamas, Mamos) who were conscious of the need to enter into formal relations of mutual respect with the outside world in order to better defend our ancestral territory and to safeguard our cultural identity. The Mamas who traced the path of the Gonawindua Tayrona Organization were: Mama Jacinto, Mama Santo, Mama Filiberto, Mama Bernardo, the Arhauco leader Adalberto Villafañe, and Mama Ramon Gil.

The name Gonawindua refers to the most important peak of the Sierra Nevada. At the moment when the spiritual world moved into the material world, this peak was the first to appear, so that we would always remember what we had to learn and to do. Gonawindua is like the skeleton of the human body without which nothing can sustain itself, nor enter into movement; it is the center that harmonizes and makes everything possible. Gonawindua is where wisdom, the force and meaning of the physical world, and the meaning of our responsibilities, are kept and codified.

The name Tayrona refers to the Father of Nature on the spiritual plane, and also refers to the origen of the peoples of the Sierra Nevada. The Tayrona made up the great civilization that inhabited the Sierra Nevada until the Spanish Conquest destroyed its cities and looted its riches and its sacred objects.

Letter from Mamo Kuncha of the Gonawindua Tayrona Organization

On the 17 November 2009

During our meeting yesterday at my home with Adam Yellowbird together with Arhuaco leaders. The possibility of supporting (funding) some projects from the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.

The agreement that was reached was to initiate (begin) with the collaboration of the important projects:

To build stronger formation of leaders in different areas in the Sierra to continue with a system of the Arhuaco government that is strengthening, also the well-being and protection of the people and land.

We are asking different donors through the ICA that can be collaborated the projects and then can be then guaranteed to be initiated and development. We appreciate all the donations that are provided.

Mamo Kuncha as the maximum leaders and emissaries (Guardian) for his people of the ancestral knowledge so that we the Mamos can continue transmitting our teachings generation to generation. with your support financially this will allow the freeing up a little of our time to dedicate it to educational labors and endeavors.

The second project is for the support for the Mamos so that they can also continue there work.

We the Big Brother,s  keepers of Mother Earth and that reside in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Heart of the world.

Signatures of authority at the meeting.

Attentively,

Danko Viccafone
Intended Project Coordinator

Mamo Kuncha, Luis Andres Mestre,
Local Head leader of the Arhuaco people

Dario Torres Mareves,
Head Commissioner  

Adam Yellow Bird