Please support the completion of this multimedia film and website development project in collaboration with the Kamëntsá Indigenous Council.

Donated funds will be handled by Better Worlds 501(c)(3).

To reach the Researcher/Producer Michal, please send email to:
michal.krawczyk@alumni.griffithuni.edu.au

Project Overview:

‘Jajañ,’ which translates to ‘garden’ in the Kamëntsá language, is a multimedia project that combines the immersive power of film with the interactive depth of a website. It highlights the rich agrobiodiversity, cultural heritage, and ecological knowledge of the Kamëntsá people from the northernmost corner of the Putumayo department, specifically the Sibundoy Valley at an altitude of about 2,200 meters in Colombia.

This project, created in collaboration with the Cabildo del Pueblo Kamëntsá Biyá combines ethnographic exploration of three gardens with innovative film and storytelling techniques. It showcases the profound relationship between the Kamëntsá and their landscape, highlighting the importance of traditional ecological knowledges and the intricate connections between culture and environment. 

The multimedia project explores how traditional ecological knowledge and land-use practices are crucial for addressing contemporary environmental challenges. It deepens appreciation and provides a profound understanding of their significance for Indigenous knowledges and related land management with its vital role in global climate change discussions. By combining film and website, the project offers a comprehensive look at how the traditional ecological knowledge and practices are not only valued but essential for addressing environmental issues, highlighting their importance for global climate resilience and sustainable land management.

Film Description:

The heart of the project is a 12-15 minute ethnographic film that captures the essence of Kamëntsá gardens through a visually captivating and experimentally driven narrative, grounded in three visits to the jajañ, featuring interviews, garden and drone footage.

Incorporated into the film is a unique feature: a "dictionary" of 15 carefully selected Kamëntsá phrases. These terms, prepared by local Indigenous educators, are seamlessly integrated into the film, appearing as entries in an engaging and visually distinctive dictionary format. This feature not only enriches the viewer's experience but also serves an educational purpose, enhancing the audience’s understanding of the Kamëntsá language and culture. For the Kamëntsá people, it acts as a documentation of language that highlight their cultural heritage, identity, and relationship to their landscape.

Another feature of the documentary is the combination of drone footage with graphics that provide specific information about the jajañ, such as the size of the garden, the quantity of species present, and other relevant details. In addition, it will visually highlight the garden’s presence within the broader landscape.

Interactive website:

The companion website goes beyond traditional film support. The site will feature:

• Detailed garden profiles: in-depth information on the gardens, their agrobiodiversity and significance.
• Educational Resources: By delving into topics such as agrobiodiversity, food security, sovereignty, and traditional ecological knowledge, this information will highlight the connections between cultural practices, land use, and environmental stewardship in the context of climate change. It will illustrate how traditional ecological knowledge and practices are fundamental in addressing current environmental challenges. This understanding fosters a greater appreciation for Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems, their land management practices, and their relevance in global discussions about climate change. Those resources will be written by an environmental anthropologist in collaboration with and approved by the Kamëntsá.
• Language Section: A dedicated area showcasing the 15 Kamëntsá phrases featured in the film, including pronunciation guides and contextual usage examples. For the local Kamëntsá-speaking population it supports the preservation and revitalization of their language and helps maintain the cultural heritage while strengthening the community’s connection to their linguistic roots. For the wider public it offers insights into Kamëntsá language and culture, by learning and engaging with these phrases, the public can gain deeper respect for the local culture and ecological knowledge, promoting thus cross-cultural awareness.

About the author:

Michał Krawczyk is an environmental anthropologist currently based in Australia. He holds a PhD from Griffith University's ‘Environmental Futures Research Institute.’ Michał has collaborated with diverse communities across Italy, Paraguay, Australia, and Colombia, capturing their stories through film. His work has gained international recognition, with screenings at prestigious venues such as the Sydney Biennale and the Vienna Biennale.