In Latin America, our cultural heritage is not entirely our own. The shift toward “civilization” and “modernity” began 500 years ago. In the 16th century, Spanish colonization swept through the Aztec, Mayan, Incas, Araucanian, and Charrúan civilizations with staggering speed. The price we paid to become “civilized”—which in this context meant Christian—was steep. It was not merely because of the gold that was taken. We surrendered our language, our beliefs, and our culture. We also gave up our wisdom. We became enslaved to an invading culture that was greedy and cruel.

Today, only a handful of communities still preserve the traditions of our ancestors. Most of these communities are impoverished and marginalized, surviving primarily through agriculture. Whenever I visit these forgotten villages and their people, I’m struck by their deep reverence for water, land, and nature. They also hold a deep respect for all living beings. I admire their dances and rituals. I feel a profound sense of pride knowing that Iberian heritage did not erase 100% of our civilization.