Cultural exchange with the Waraos

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The Warao population and the La Tortuga Foundation strengthened the support and interaction project between both cultures, in which the indigenous communities that inhabit Delta Amacuro will continue to receive information and specialized guidance from the foundation and at the same time will teach their knowledge in order to make the best use of waste. The objective of the alliance is to optimize the impact on the environment.

The Warao population and the La Tortuga Foundation strengthened the support and interaction project between both cultures, in which the indigenous communities that inhabit Delta Amacuro will continue to receive information and specialized guidance from the foundation and at the same time will teach their knowledge in order to make the best use of waste. The objective of the alliance is to optimize the impact on the environment.

As part of a cultural exchange project developed by Fundación La Tortuga (FLT) with the Warao population, Chelo Nogueira, vice-president of FLT, visited Delta Amacuro state with other members of the NGO to continue with the expeditions that began at the beginning of the year and that allow them to learn more about the lifestyle of this indigenous group. The expedition counted with the cinematographic coverage of the Astrum Producciones team integrated by: Maribel Boscari, Régulo Briceño and Elio Rojas.

The fifth excursion carried out by the foundation sought to further consolidate the alliance previously established with this aboriginal people that has been settled in the Orinoco Delta for approximately 3,500 years.

The main objective of these expeditions, which will continue throughout 2010, is to disseminate environmental messages and exchange information regarding the treatment of water and the waste that comes from the cities to this freshwater territory.

FLT and the Warao community are implementing mechanisms to adequately manage the environmental liabilities generated in the river by the arrival of modern products. Part of the solution to combat the problem is to manufacture handmade products from waste or natural materials.

The indigenous society has vast experience in the development of handicrafts, so Higinia Hernández, one of the Warao leaders, brought to FLT part of what can be achieved with moriche palms, tirite fiber, and bora branches. The result of this creative work are baskets, bags, and handmade accessories that are on display and for sale at the foundation’s headquarters.

The idea of this project developed by FLT and the Warao is that both cultures can learn from each other in order to achieve a better interaction with the environment and better use of natural resources. Soon more expeditions will be carried out that will involve scientific studies and in which new agreements of benefits for both associations that promote geological awareness will be consolidated.