In Colombia’s far north, tucked within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, lies what the Arhuaco people call “the heart of the world.” This Indigenous group, along with their neighbors the Kogi, Wiwa, and Kankuamo peoples, have lived here for millennia. Their creation stories tell how these distinct but related cultures emerged from this land when the Earth was formed.

They call themselves the Elder Brothers and refer to others as the Younger Brothers—not just because they came first, but because they see themselves as guardians of the Earth. Their beliefs center on maintaining balance between humans and nature. Sadly, as time has passed, the Younger Brothers (the rest of the world) have shown their recklessness by harming the planet. Now, more than ever, the Elder Brothers feel the urgency of their sacred duty.

Once isolated and pushed higher into the mountains by conflict and outside influence, these communities have become symbols of hope for those seeking solutions to today’s environmental crises. Watching the snow retreat from their sacred peak (a mountain so revered its true name is secret, and whose shape inspires their iconic white hats), the Arhuaco, Kogi, Wiwa, and Kankuamo realized they must share their wisdom. Since the 1990s, they’ve cautiously allowed outsiders to document their lives and conservation rituals, hoping to inspire change.

British photographer Gobinder Jhitta was deeply moved by their history and philosophy. After gaining rare permission to visit the Arhuaco and Kogi, he captured their profound connection to nature and their unwavering commitment to protecting it. His project, titled Zaku (meaning “spirit of the mother” in their language), reflects this sacred bond.

About the Artist
Gobinder Jhitta is a photographer based in Devon, England.