Chapter I. The Arhuaco Indigenous Worldview on Water Governance and Bioculturality within Seykᵾtᵾkᵾnᵾmaku, or the Black Line

Arhuaco philosophy is in harmony with the elements and institutions of nature, where well-being is understood in a holistic manner—that is, as the interconnectedness of everything: from snow-capped peaks, lakes, rivers, mountains, and valleys to animals and all manifestations of life in the territory. This holistic approach has posed a challenge for public administration, as it must identify and design solutions from a holistic perspective. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to analyze the interaction of intercultural dialogue—based on the Arhuaco indigenous knowledge system—with state territorial entities regarding water governance in cases such as the Los Besotes Reservoir in the municipality of Valledupar, mining operations in the Aracataca River basin, and the expansion of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Natural Park into indigenous reserve areas. Therefore, understanding Arhuaco thought and embracing bioculturality as a framework for the sustainability of water and the territory is crucial. This reflection enables the formulation of measures regarding actions to be taken within the framework of public management—not only in the development and implementation of public policies but also in their realization based on and in collaboration with indigenous knowledge.