What is BeNative?
BeNative is a project that weaves our collective intelligence to rekindle our deep connection with nature and the essential wisdom that fosters coexistence with all living beings. Through stories, rituals, and fantastic realism, we explore the ways in which humans and the territory communicate, shaping our sense of belonging and reciprocity with the world around us.
Territory
Ancestral traditions perceive territory in a multidimensional way. Taita Ángel Pasuy Miticanoy of the Kamëntšá (Camsá) community in Colombia explains that the Western view sees territory as a physical entity, a collection of resources to be exploited for individual gain and integrated into capitalism. In contrast, the elders of his community see it as a unity, a home where the natural and vital cycles of life are recreated. (L. Barnett & Vilchez, 2021)
Referring to "territory" is not the same as referring to "land," and therefore, it cannot be measured or quantified. Territory is a concept that carries meaning, and to understand it, we name and experience it through elements such as streets and avenues.
For the Yanaconas of southern Colombia, territory is seen as the interconnection between the world and the environment, while land is considered the medium of work. It is not only a space where economic relationships unfold but also a setting for social roles, kinship ties, and rituals that involve, as they say, "taming" or domesticating.
Similarly, the Nasa people recognize a close relationship between territory and land, though they distinguish their functions. Territory "serves for thinking," while land "serves for doing." They connect these concepts through tangible places. For example, the land, understood as a place "for doing," is also associated with "where one physically lives," a notion that applies to both deities and human beings. (Nates Cruz, 2009).
The concept of territory encompasses multiple dimensions, including the body, place of residence, cultural heritage, and birthplace.