Igargan: Treaties and Traditional Knowledge of the Guna Peoples

Posted Date: 8 September 2022

Igargan: Treaties and Traditional Knowledge of the Guna Peoples

by the BES-Net ILK Support Unit at UNESCO

Randy González of the Guna peoples in Panama, a member of the Network of Indigenous Women on Biodiversity in Latin America, was one of the indigenous youth that shared their story during the Indigenous Youth and Intergenerational Wisdom event organized by BES-Net in collaboration with its partners from the African Wildlife Foundation.

The online event served as a platform for indigenous and local youth to share knowledge and discuss experiences and solutions regarding the sustainable use of wild species in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Watch the recording

Randy shared a story that celebrates the knowledge of his grandfather and the Guna peoples:

Mu Bili (Abuela Mar). Image courtesy of Randy González.

One night, before the setting of the full moon, Sabdur, a strong and dynamic boy, told his Grandfather Orgun – the Great Connoisseur, Practitioner of Treaties and the Ancient Botany of the Guna Peoples: “Grandfather, I want to know about our spirituality and worldview and have your knowledge to protect our biodiversity, lands and territories so that I can take better care of Napguana [Mother Earth].”

Grandfather Orgun responded, “Then get ready. Tomorrow, before El Abuelo Sol [Dad Ibe] appears, we will take a trip to the mountains. Right there, I will share with you, dear Sabdur, my knowledge.”

Botanist Alberto López (1917–2001). Image courtesy of Randy González

The next morning, by the light from the flames of the stove, Sabdur got up from his hammock in which he had slept. Mu Inaamdili (Grandmother) was already preparing breakfast; the scent of her culinary knowledge permeated the small house in a morning session that she accompanied with a traditional song while Dad (Grandfather) chewed siaggua (cocoa) to become even stronger.

With the help of a small canoe, Sabdur and his grandfather began their journey through the majestic Mu Bili (Abuela Mar), a contributor of marine fruits and the home of large reefs and mangroves.

Once in the forest, with the dark color of dawn leading the way, Grandfather Orgun invited Sabdur to take a bath in the diigguar (river).

“Sabdur, the current of the river never stops and always renews its strength; that is why it is important before each working day to renew our physical strength through its waters.”

After sharing a bath in the river, Sabdur and his grandfather started their walk through the forest.

With a shout, Sabdur indicated to his grandfather the presence of a large snake and, frightened, he took a club to kill the animal. Grandfather Orgun asked him to stop.

“No, Sabdur. All the animals in this forest are your brothers. Our existence depends on the existence of each one of them: each tree and each medicinal plant is part of our history. We must therefore respect and care for them. All wild species, such as the moli [tapir], serve as sustenance for all our communities. That is why we try to ensure that each action of ours is in harmony and balance with Mother Earth.”

Photo by sbmatherson from Pixabay

Sabdur said, “Thank you, Grandfather. Now I understand how our people have preserved our forests for so many years. Thanks to this knowledge, today we can enjoy food sovereignty and security within our territories.”

“That’s right, dear Grandson. You, who in the future will be the guardians of these forests, must be even stronger, continue learning more and more through stories, songs and dances and, most importantly, take this knowledge wherever you go. Never forget your knowledge and traditions.”

After this first teaching, they arrived at a place where Grandfather Orgun had planted siaggua.

“Sabdur, for us Gunas, cocoa has a spiritual meaning. Take a couple of seeds and eat them. It will renew your physical strength, and even more so your spiritual strength. In all our spiritual ceremonies, cocoa should never be missing. Every botanist expands their wisdom thanks to the smell of cocoa. It is a sacred seed for the Guna peoples.”

He continued, “It is just as important that you know where you should sow and not sow. For example, you see those big trees? That is a sacred place called Naggnus. It is the place where life begins, the animals come to procreate, and there are traditional medicines that grow there. That’s why you can’t cut down trees there; it’s even forbidden to walk on the land. You younger ones must always keep this in mind so that life continues its course and we do not lack food.”