Interview | The Heart of the Territory: Reflections on the Sacredness of the Páramo

We met María Victoria Villacrés. A teacher who holds a Degree in Natural Science and environmental education from the University of Nariño, and a Master's Degree in Pedagogy from Mariana's University.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T7aso0Ct9o

Why are Páramos and Their Vegetation Important for Environmental Balance? With María Victoria Villacrés.

A Living, Breathing Ecosystem

I believe that páramos are among the most important ecosystems in the world. They are often described as strategic and complex systems where a variety of beings interact—not only natural beings like plants and animals but also spiritual beings that are still being studied and understood today. These include deities, myths, and ancestral legends that reflect the deep cultural and spiritual connection people have with the páramo.

A Unique Colombian Heritage

Colombia is home to about 50% of the world’s páramos, making these ecosystems especially significant for our country. Here in Nariño, we are privileged to live among these sacred landscapes. Páramos provide a wide range of ecosystem services—they regulate hydrological systems, support rich biodiversity, and serve as vital spaces for both spiritual reflection and traditional medicine.

The Mountains of Medicine

For many Indigenous communities, the páramo is more than a natural resource—it is known as the “mountain of medicine.” The plants that grow in these high-altitude regions are said to cure serious illnesses, and it is common for Indigenous peoples to travel into the páramo to gather medicinal plants. For the Pasto people in Cumbal, the páramo is considered the heart of the territory.

As Juan Chiles once said, “The water that gushes from the moor is like the blood that gives life to the territory.”

More Than Human Life

The importance of the páramo goes far beyond human needs. It supports plants, animals, spirits, and even non-living beings like rocks and mountains, which are seen as part of a sacred coexistence. These entities may not have life as we commonly define it, but they are deeply integrated into the spiritual and ecological fabric of the páramo.