Guided by the powerful deity Sek, who brought order to the chaotic world, bringing light he allowed life to flourish, separating day from night, defining the boundaries between the sky, earth, and water, and setting the cycles of life in motion. He also taught the first Nasa people the art of weaving. This practice is not just as a method to create useful items but a reflection of the very act of creation itself.
Weaving Unity: Co-Creation and Rituals in the Fabric of Nasa Community | Jemima Lowe
As dusk settles over Colombia’s sacred Munchique mountain, the river softly hums, with notes of sandalwood and earth permeating the surroundings. The U’ma (Nasa) women, known as master weavers; dance their fingers around the threads, their craft harmonising with the symphony of the natural world. This ancient practice is more than an art form; it is a ritualistic act of co-creation that binds the Nasa community to their past, their land, and their collective spirit. In the modern world, there is much to learn from the Nasa’s approach to weaving; a spiritual exercise that fosters social cohesion and strengthens communal ties. By understanding these indigenous practices, it is possible to explore how community arts can serve as powerful tools for uniting societies. The Nasa people of Colombia have long understood the profound impact of integrating art into daily life as a communal and spiritual practice.
For the U’ma, weaving is not merely a craft passed down through generations; it is a sacred ritual that connects them to their creation story, their ancestors, and the natural world.
Guided by the powerful deity Sek, who brought order to the chaotic world, bringing light he allowed life to flourish, separating day from night, defining the boundaries between the sky, earth, and water, and setting the cycles of life in motion. He also taught the first Nasa people the art of weaving. This practice is not just as a method to create useful items but a reflection of the very act of creation itself.
The Nasa believe that through weaving, they honour Sek and maintain the balance he established. For example, the sun’s cycle is governed by Sek and is symbolic of the cycles of nature essential for agriculture and life. Thus, weaving is a ritual often performed during important ceremonies, where these textiles are used to honour the gods and spirits that protect their lands. The woven designs depict the sun, mountains, rivers, and other elements shaped by Sek. Each thread symbolises a connection between the Nasa people and the complex and inescapable cycles of nature that sustain life. This illustrates how in many indigenous cultures artistic practices are deeply intertwined with rituals.
Growing research in this area supports this idea that these kinds of cultural and co-creative practices are vital for the well-being of communities. Artistic rituals, much like those of the Nasa, promote both physical and mental health by reinforcing social cohesion. They serve as a reminder that social cohesion—the “glue” that holds societies together—is essential for a healthy, functioning community. For example, rituals and arts have been proven to promote physical and mental health by reinforcing social cohesion. As Jill Sonke and others have highlighted, the arts can be leveraged to build social cohesion and enhance well-being in communities, particularly through arts and cultural strategies that counteract social isolation and build a strong social fabric. Community-based arts participation, especially where co-creation and cultural sharing are involved, facilitates relationships and group belonging.
“Engagement with the arts can affect social determinants of health, improving social cohesion and reducing social inequalities”
Daisy Fancourt,
Associate Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology,
UCL Epidemiology and Health Care
Recent studies done by Daisy Fancourt and the Social Biobehavioural Research Group at UCL have shown increased interest in the arts, as evidence suggests they can positively impact mental health, support flourishing among young people, promote healthy ageing, and even influence mortality rates. Arts and cultural strategies are increasingly recognised as vital resources for countering isolation and building social cohesion within communities.
Moreover, co-creation in the arts often facilitates cross-cultural exchanges that can bridge diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering understanding and unity. Choirs composed of culturally and linguistically diverse members, for instance, provide a platform for the maintenance and transmission of cultural heritage, strengthening social ties between participants and their audiences. One study illustrated the role of co-creation in cultural transmission, noting how indigenous youth connect with their heritage through activities like singing traditional songs, sewing regalia, making drums, and learning native languages in school-based programs. Such practices are deeply rooted in the tradition of passing down knowledge and skills through generations.
A review by Jill Sonke also acknowledges that cultures worldwide, particularly indigenous knowledge systems, have long recognised and operationalised the understanding of how art participation contributes to social cohesion and well-being in communities. This indigenous understanding is reflected in a recent study in Canada, which reported that 53.7% of indigenous respondents considered the arts to be very important for social connection, compared with 23.8% of non-indigenous respondents. Additionally, 63.9% of indigenous respondents reported that the arts were very important for community well-being, compared to 30.6% of non-indigenous respondents.
We can apply these lessons to our own societies by recognising the value of integrating community arts into daily life. For example, practices like the Nasa’s weaving rituals can be adapted to modern settings where art is used to celebrate cultural diversity, honour heritage, and bring people together. Such initiatives not only preserve cultural practices but also foster cross-cultural understanding and unity.
By embracing the principles of co-creation found in indigenous rituals, we can foster stronger, more resilient communities. The Nasa’s weaving practices show us that when art is used as a collaborative endeavour, it has the power to unify, heal, and sustain societies.
As we seek to build more inclusive and cohesive communities, there is much to be learned from the wisdom of indigenous practices that have successfully nurtured social bonds for generations.
As the Nasa people show, the integration of art and ritual is far more than a cultural tradition; it is a living practice that continues to shape the community and the collective well-being. These practices not only preserve the cultural heritage but also provide a way to help navigate the challenges of modern life. As research continues to underscore the importance of these rituals and their associated arts, it becomes increasingly clear that these practices hold valuable lessons for all of humanity about the power of unity, creativity, and respect for nature.
By celebrating and supporting the continuation of these artistic rituals, we acknowledge the wisdom embedded in these traditions and the vital role they play in sustaining the health and resilience of both communities and their environments.
Words by Jemima Lowe
