Sxabue’s Umbilical Cord

In the tradition of Colombia’s Nasa indigenous people, Edilfredo’s mother buried his umbilical chord to honor Edilfredo’s first tie to Mother Earth. The challenges of violence an alcoholism in rural Colombia have strained Edilfredo’s close ties to the Earth and at 13 years old he began harvesting coca leaves for export an even considered joining an armed militia group. Edilfredo, who is now 17, has rediscovered his connection with the Earth and is working with the Indigenous Guard to cultivate diverse crops that nourish the human body, the indigenous spirit and the natural environment.