In the lush, mountainous region of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, the Kwet Wala Indigenous Reservation stands as a testament to the enduring connection between the Nasa people and their sacred land. For centuries, the mountains, rivers, and forests of this territory have been more than just a home—they are the lifeblood of the community, integral to their culture, spirituality, and identity. But for decades, this sacred land was marred by the hidden dangers of landmines, remnants of a violent past that threatened the very existence of the Kwet Wala people.
José Arley Fernández, the former Governor of the Kwet Wala Indigenous Reservation, remembers the toll these invisible threats took on his community. “The mines affect our culture because the mountains, the hills, the birds—all that is part of our culture,” he says. “We harmonize the territory, and because of the threat posed by the mines, we had to leave the land that is sacred to us.”
HALO's training center, located next to the "Big Stone" in the Kwet Wala Indigenous Reservation.
The presence of these mines not only endangered lives but also disrupted the cultural practices that are essential to the Nasa people. The traditional rituals of harmonization, which call upon the spirits of the land to protect and guide the community, were halted. The mountains and rivers, once thriving with life and spiritual significance, became inaccessible. The Nasa people could no longer reforest their land or invite the animals that had fled due to conflict to return.
With the support of HALO Trust and the international community, a new chapter began—a journey of restoration and resilience. Humanitarian demining, often seen purely as a technical endeavor, became something much deeper when it arrived in Kwet Wala. It became a sacred mission, a partnership between HALO and the Nasa people to heal the land and restore its sanctity. With the clearing of each mine, the community reclaimed not just physical safety, but the spiritual and cultural freedom to live as their ancestors intended.
The success in the Kwet Wala Reservation is part of a larger movement across Colombia. HALO has worked hand in hand with 33 Indigenous communities across eight departments, including the Nasa, Pijao, U’wa, Awá, Embera Chami, Senú, Piratapuyo, Tucano, Yuruti, Pastos, Inga, and Cofan peoples. Together, we have declared six Indigenous communities free from the suspicion of landmines, restoring not just the land but the cultural and spiritual practices that are intertwined with these sacred spaces.
Handover ceremony of the Kwet Wala Indigenous Reservation in May 2019, marking a significant milestone in the community's journey to safety and restoration.
The mountains, rivers, and water sources—essential to the existence and continuity of these communities—are once again places of life and reverence. The forests are being reforested, animals are returning, and the rituals that connect the people to their ancestors are being performed with renewed strength. This journey of restoration has strengthened the protection and preservation of Mother Earth, safeguarding not only the environment but also the cultural heritage and traditions that define these communities.
Deminer from the Nasa community.
HALO is proud that 18% of our Colombian staff comes from Indigenous communities. These team members are not just deminers; they are guardians of their culture, playing a crucial role in the ongoing protection of human rights, the preservation of their territories, and the safeguarding of their traditions.
We are grateful for the Indigenous peoples who have welcomed us into their territories, allowing us to walk alongside them in this mission. Partnership with communities like the Nasa, Pijao, U’wa, and others is not just about clearing land—it is about restoring the very essence of what it means to be connected to the land, to each other, and to the sacred traditions that have sustained these communities for generations.
In the words of former Governor Fernández, “Without [your support], it would not have been possible for us to try to clear our Mother Earth, which is the most sacred thing for us. You allow us to live happier days in our territory with these resources.” The journey continues, and with each step, we move closer to a future where every community in Colombia can live free from fear, in harmony with their sacred land.
DONATE TODAY to support HALO's ongoing work and help protect the cultural and spiritual heritage of Indigenous communities like these. Together, we can restore the land and ensure that future generations can thrive in peace and safety.
