Inspiration #No1 - The Kogi message - we need to act on.

Photo credit: Rheanna Griffin. Mama Shibulata, left, the Kogi priest and his translator Sylvestre, right, standing by the well dressing celebrating Oxfam's Water week and the theme that Water Can Change Lives.

The more I reflect on this June day back in 2012, the more I appreciate the determination and conviction of the Kogi Mamas and the synchronicities at work when, Mama Shibulata, a Kogi Indian priest  accepted my invitation to take part in our village well dressing.   The theme for the well dressing was the Oxfam water week campaign,  "Water Can Change Lives"  Our village didn't know at the time but the Kogi creation story starts with water.  It is the life force from where the Mother created the nine worlds.  It is how the Kogi divine and communicate with the Mother, it is what helps us all think. 

​I was giddy with excitement, should I prepare food, if so what and for how many ?  Should we bake a cake ?  What will he make of our well dressing tradition, will he be able to relax and enjoy his time away from the city hustle and bustle.   I didn't realise at the time but it wasn't about him, it wasn't really about our village or our welcoming hospitality.   It was about his message for the world, the one simple yet profound message, the warning from the elder brothers,  that he had come to share with younger bother.  The message younger brother was not listening to.   

​It was transformational and it all began at Sheffield Documentary Film festival, doc fest for short . . . . . 

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