Who are the Kogi people?

The Kogi people are an indigenous group living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain range on Earth, in northern Colombia. They are descendants of the ancient Tyrona civilization, which suffered greatly during the Spanish conquest. The Kogi retreated into the mountains where they lived in isolation for centuries, maintaining their traditional ways.

Their society is known for its intense religiosity, often referred to as the "Tibet of South America." They are guided by the Mamos, or sun priests, who undergo an extraordinary training process. From the age of two or three, future priests are sequestered in darkness for 18 years to absorb the religious beliefs and rituals of their society. Upon completion, they perform rituals and prayers that they believe maintain the ecological balance of the world 1.

For more detailed insights, you can explore the episode featuring Wade Davis on the Tim Ferriss Show.