The Philadelphia community welcomes the Tezhuna
The Tezhuna, an indigenous group from the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Colombia, journey to Philadelphia to share their ancient unbroken wisdom and powerful healing ceremonies. Embrace this rare and honorable opportunity to connect directly with Tezhuna leaders and their teachings rooted in harmony with Mother Earth.
Who are the Tezhuna?
The Tezhuna people (Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa, and Kankwamo tribes) are one of the few indigenous groups in the Americas who evaded the Spanish Conquest by retreating deep into the Sierra Nevada.
Preserving unbroken spiritual and cultural traditions for millennia, their leaders—mamos (males) and sagas (females) — live in service to “Earth’s Original Law”: the responsibility to protect and nurture the planet. Their mission is to sustain and share these teachings while awakening greater global consciousness and stewardship.
Why are they returning to Philadelphia?
In 2019, the Tezhuna visited Philadelphia for the first time in history, offering ancient wisdom, prayers, and healing for the whole region. Now, hearing the call once more, the elders return for a deeper and longer visit:
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to listen to how the land is doing today and deepen the previous ceremonies
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to engage more broadly with the community
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and to offer new ceremonies, healings, and daily practices.
This journey also supports fundraising for two sacred educational projects in the Tezhuna homeland.
What will they share?
We are honored to welcome five Tezhuna spiritual leaders representing three of the tribes for this visit, including three mamos and two sagas, who will be accompanied by an interpreter.
Through their sacred practice of pagamentos—offerings that restore balance between humans and the natural world—the Tezhuna will guide us in:
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Musical ceremonies offering healing to Mother Earth and all beings
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Interactive talks weaving ancient wisdom with modern life
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Ancient storytelling and reflection practices
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Land and water blessings
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Deep opportunities for personal, collective, and planetary reconnection & healing
What’s in a name?
The name “Tezhuna” translates to “Thinker of Clear Thoughts” and reflects the harmony and oneness with Nature that the Tezhuna people embody in their daily lives.
Also, during the colonization of the Americas, the Tezhuna came to be known as the Tairona or Tayrona, by the Spanish. The re-emergence of Tezhuna (or previously, Teyuna) reflects a desire by many to be known by their true language and pronunciation.
Our Philly team honors this language evolution while also embracing the variety of language labels and pronunciations others might use.
Everyone is welcome here.
About Us
We are a team of community-organizers, ecosystem stewards, university faculty, and artists united to (1) support the Tezhuna elders’ return to Philadelphia in 2025 and (2) encourage more interwoven communities of earth stewardship in the region and around the world.