Cultures, Special Mention: Nicolas Castermans, France
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia: The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest coastal mountain range in the world. It is located in northern Colombia, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, and is still inhabited by four indigenous communities, direct descendants of the Tayronas. They are: the Kogis, the Wiwas, the Arhuacos and the Kankuamos. I was there on an exploration to develop a documentary project about the people of the region, the Kogis especially, who mostly live in the low lands of the mountain range, in a pristine jungle environment. These morning scenes, for a brief moment, gave me a glimpse of what the beginning of civilization was. Dressed of white in these sublime atmospheres, these Kogis left me with an impression of true harmony with nature, and with an idyllic image of their people and lifestyle.