Smoke swirls. Wayuu education and spirituality

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper, which represents a small part of a larger
study, is to explore spiritual education within the native Wayuu community.
The research methodology, which foresees a bibliographical review on the
topic, includes the use of educational ethnography tools and a qualitative
approach with an epistemological foundation in hermeneutics. The study
also uses semi-structured interviews and direct observation through video
recordings. Two rancherias, which are settlements of blended families that
live in the rural areas of the Riohacha Province’s La Guajira Department,
north of Colombia, were visited. The study includes interviews with 20
adults between the ages of 20 and 60. Among those interviewed was Señora
Zelda, the head of a village and its spiritual guide, who handles preschool
education for the children in the rancherias. The research focuses primarily
on this last testimony. The work also involved collaboration with rural sociologist
Julie Montezuma, who works on behalf of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO). She provided us with the necessary
contacts. The research began in April 2017 and continued for seven
months.