La Chaka
Inclusive Exploration
February 27 – March 5, 2024
Sibundoy has been a crossroad of humanity for milenia. The Sibundoy Carnaval del Perdón or Bëtsknaté is a powerful example of syncretism, or the blending of distinct cultures. In this case, it’s about asking pardon, forgiveness, and generating renewal.
"Carnaval del Perdón" in Sibundoy, located in the Putumayo region of Colombia, is referred to as "Bëtsknaté" in the local Inga language, which is closely related to Quechua. This indigenous festival is celebrated by the Inga and Kamëntsá communities and marks a time of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and reconciliation, coinciding with the Christian Carnival period. It is a time when people seek forgiveness from one another, engage in rituals to cleanse themselves of negative energies, and celebrate the unity of the community through music, dance, and other traditional practices.
Catholic Tradition of Pardon
In the Catholic tradition, the concept of "pardon" is deeply intertwined with the ideas of forgiveness and reconciliation. This tradition is rooted in the belief that sin separates individuals from God, and that through confession and penance, one can be reconciled with God and the Church. The sacrament of reconciliation, often referred to as confession, is a key practice where Catholics confess their sins to a priest, who then offers absolution, representing God’s pardon. This sacrament underscores the themes of mercy and forgiveness, central to the Catholic faith.
Pardon in Catholicism is not just about the absolution of sins but also about spiritual renewal and the restoration of one's relationship with God. The Church teaches that through sincere repentance and the sacrament of reconciliation, God forgives sins, offering a fresh start. This aligns with the broader Christian understanding of divine mercy.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar. On this day, Catholics and many other Christians attend services where ashes are placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. The ashes, typically made from the burned palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday, symbolize mortality and repentance. The ritual of receiving ashes is accompanied by the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," emphasizing human mortality and the need for repentance.
Ash Wednesday serves as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of turning away from sin and seeking spiritual renewal. It sets the tone for the Lenten season, a time of self-examination, reflection, and preparation for the celebration of Easter.
Pardon in Indigenous Communities
In Indigenous communities among the Andean and Amazonian peoples, the concept of pardon or forgiveness often intersects with communal harmony and the restoration of relationships. In many Indigenous cultures, maintaining balance within the community and with nature is crucial. When conflicts arise, traditional practices focus on restoring this balance through communal rituals, mediation, and the expression of forgiveness.
For example, in some Amazonian Indigenous communities, ceremonies involving ayahuasca or other sacred plants are used as part of healing processes, which may include aspects of seeking and granting forgiveness. These ceremonies often involve communal participation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all members of the community and their environment.
In the Andean context, the concept of Ayni—a principle of reciprocity and mutual support—plays a significant role in how forgiveness and reconciliation are approached. When someone wrongs another, efforts are made to restore the balance through reciprocal actions, ensuring that harmony is maintained within the community.
Conclusion
The concept of pardon, while universally tied to ideas of forgiveness and reconciliation, manifests differently across cultures. In Catholicism, it is formalized through sacraments like reconciliation, reflecting divine mercy and spiritual renewal. Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent, reinforces themes of repentance and mortality. In Indigenous communities of Northern South America, pardon is often about restoring communal harmony and balance, deeply tied to their spiritual and cultural practices. These diverse approaches highlight the central role of forgiveness in human societies, whether it be through structured religious practices or through communal and spiritual traditions.
Premise Questions: What is it to pardon or be pardoned? From what do we need pardoning?
Deeper Context: While pardon is the main theme, we want to present it in a way that features the agency and resiliency of the indigenous perhaps due in part to traditions that help maintain harmony within the community.
Exploring Sacred Crossroads and Carnaval del Perdón
Day 1 – Thursday, February 27, 2025 (Especially recommended for those participating only in the Pasto and Ipiales portion of the journey.)
Antonio Nariño Airport outside of Pasto, Colombia: Arrive morning to early afternoon.
Pasto: 45 min ride to Pasto, check-in to Hotel V1501, lunch on your own
4pm - Café y Culturas: Exploring the Sacred Blend of Traditions – A guided understanding of the syncretic relationship between Indigenous and Catholic traditions with a professor from University of Nariño.
Discovering Pasto during the evening to popular sites including Catedral de Pasto
Culinary explorers may want to try the “Cuy” which is famous in this region (in other regions it’s known as Guinea Pig).
Day 2 – Friday, February 28, 2025
Antonio Nariño Airport outside of Pasto, Colombia: Arrive morning to early afternoon.
Pasto: 45 min ride to Pasto, check-in to Hotel V1501, lunch on your own
3pm - Iglesia de San Juan Bautista: Private guided tour focusing on the art and architecture of the church, followed by a group rosary or meditation session in one of the chapels.
Hotel V1501 Rooftop at sunset intros, cocktails, and discussions
Group dinner in Pasto
Day 3 – Saturday, March 1, 2025
7:30am Páramo de Bordoncillo departure from Pasto
Discover Páramo de Bordoncillo: Páramos are only found in the Andes of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, along with a few small areas in Central America. They are an incredible feature of the Andean ecosystem. An expert will tell us all about them.
Brunch upon Laguna de la Cocha: A boat will take us to out on this breathtaking lake.
3pm The Sanctuary of Las Lajas: Walk around casually.
5pm Ipiales Harmony Hotel check-in
7pm Group dinner in Ipiales
Day 4 - Sunday, March 2, 2025
Breakfast and wandering on your own in Ipiales
8:30am Return to Sanctuary Las Lajas for a private tour.
Return to Pasto for those not continuing to Sibundoy at designated time(s)
11:30am departure to Sibundoy (small snacks provided)
2pm lunch overlooking La Laguna de Cocha from afar
Check-in for Sibundoy hotel
Attend mass @7pm and enjoy the evening
Day 5 – Monday, March 3, 2025
Breakfast on your own
10am San Francisco for hiking tour to natural warm springs bathing
Return by 2pm, rest/walk around on your own
4:30pm early dinner together followed by mass in Sibundoy
Festival all evening
Day 6 – Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Breakfast together
Departure to the Inga town until 12pm
Car to Pasto followed by lunch and final festivities
Some can depart this day or stay over
Day 7 – Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Ash Wednesday
Breakfast together then morning
Some may want to attend mass
Depart for Pasto @10 am
Arrive at airport @||am for departures
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