Donation to help the Arhuacos purchase a bigger chocolate grinder
Fundraiser: Help us raise $2000 to purchase a bigger chocolate grinder for the Arhuacos! (Donate in $25 increments)
I just returned from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in August 2023 for my second visit to meet the with the Arhuacos. My first visit was in June 2019, and it was life changing for me. The Arhuacos are one of four tribes in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta that descended from the Tairona people (Teyruna in their native language), a pre-Columbian culture which could have lived there as early as 200 BCE. They hold many of their ancient traditions still including their language of Ikú, dress, poporo, weaving of mochilas, music, spiritual offerings, and ceremony. All of this, I find remarkable in itself!
One of the reasons they held true to their tradition is they were forced higher up into the mountain upon Spanish conquest to survive and then stayed there for 50 years during the ensuing Colombian civil war. Only now, they are beginning to recover their territory by the sea in Katansama, which means "the base of all consciousness" in Ikú. This territory is important for them to conduct their work of protecting all humanity (including us, "Little brother") by keeping Mother Earth in balance through their spiritual offerings.
The Arhuacos sell their handicrafts and cacao for household income and schooling. Extra money is used to help them acquire more territory in the vicinity of Katansama. They have just started producing their own chocolate from their own cacao and are in need of a bigger 25 lb capacity stone grinder (melanger), so they can make larger batches and keep up with demand.
I am raising money for them through this website item to accept donations for this cause in $25 increments. 100% of these funds will go directly to the Arhuacos for the melanger. Castronovo Chocolate will incur the costs of the credit card fees.
I am also donating 25% of your purchase on October 7-9 (midnight) to this fundraising effort. All in-store purchases on Monday, October 9 will also qualify.
Duni - this means "thank you!" in Ikú.
You can follow the Arhuacos chocolate brand, Teyruna, on instagram at: teyrunacacao
**Please note: if this is the only item in your checkout cart, it will automatically add shipping costs. I will go in refund those for you - promise.