The heart of the Selva de Matavén came alive with tradition, unity, and ancestral knowledge during the successful celebration of the 8th Cultural Gathering of Indigenous Traditional Games in the community of Laguna Checa, located in the Bajo Río Vichada Uno sector of the Indigenous Reserve of the Matavén Forest.
Throughout this vibrant event, Indigenous community members of all ages participated in a variety of traditional games and cultural activities that celebrate and preserve their living cultural heritage. From canoe races to ancestral archery and storytelling, the gathering brought generations together to honor their roots.
Far beyond celebration, this gathering is a powerful expression of the communities’ commitment to cultural continuity and self-determination. It is also a key strategy of the REDD+ Matavén Project to strengthen Indigenous governance and ensure the intergenerational transmission of ancestral knowledge.
Events like this reinforce ACATISEMA, the association of Indigenous traditional authorities leading the governance of Matavén, and support the communities’ ongoing role as guardians of their forests, biodiversity, and water systems in this vital transition zone between the Orinoquía and the Colombian Amazon.
Preserving Indigenous culture is inseparable from conserving nature. By creating and sustaining spaces for cultural expression, leadership, and community empowerment, REDD+ Matavén supports a future where Indigenous peoples continue to live in harmony with their territories—just as their ancestors have for centuries.