Lucy Pilcué: “Mother Earth is the one who sustains us, feeds us, and teaches us”

Lucy is a member of Corpo San Lorenzo and the Wêt Pekühwa Tourism Agency, through which she promotes community tourism. Caldono has a population of 39,946, of whom 75% self-identify as indigenous and belong to the Nasa ethnic group. Furthermore, this municipality was the second in the country with the highest number of armed incursions by the now-demobilized FARC-EP between 1997 and 2014. According to information from the Truth Commission, “the systematic nature of the confrontations led to the deterioration of the ‘life plans’ (planes de vida) of the indigenous and peasant communities that inhabited that territory.”

Despite this context, Caldono has risen again, and indigenous communities have seen in community-based tourism an opportunity to share their worldview and promote an understanding of their spiritual relationship with nature.

From this perspective, community tourism becomes a tool for territorial protection and an engine for dignified and sustainable economic opportunities. It strengthens the local economy without compromising environmental balance or the care of Mother Earth, proving that development can go hand in hand with conservation.

The work of Lucy and the Wêt Pekühwa Agency has been strengthened through the support of the “Women Changing Their World” (Mujeres Cambiando su Mundo) project. This initiative is led by UN Women, in coordination with the national government and with the support of the German Embassy in Colombia. 

This backing has strengthened her leadership as an indigenous woman, consolidated the organization, and supported its future growth. Furthermore, it has helped bring visibility to these experiences at fairs and conventions, positioning community-based tourism as a sustainable alternative. It demonstrates how the women of the Nasa people are taking concrete actions to protect nature and transmit ancestral knowledge.

Based on this territorial experience, we spoke with Lucy Pilcué Piamba. 

What does Mother Earth mean to you? 

My territory is not just a place; it is a living being that breathes, feels, and speaks to us. It is our ‘great house’ (casa grande), where spirits, knowledge, and the memories of our ancestors reside. Mother Earth is the one who sustains us, feeds us, and teaches us. To me, she is sacred; she is origin and balance. Therefore, caring for her is not an option—it is a duty as a daughter of the territory. Since I was a child, I have learned to respect nature, value one’s word, and live in harmony. These lessons are what guide my work today. 

How did your interest in promoting community-based tourism begin? 

It was born out of love for my territory and commitment to my community. More than just showing a place, we want those who arrive to feel, learn, and value the life that exists within our lands. Furthermore, I am convinced that community-based tourism contributes by transforming consciousness. It’s not just about coming to look; it’s about feeling, understanding, and awakening a respect for life.

Those who come to our territory do not leave the same; they take with them a profound message of care and harmony with Mother Earth. We seek to connect, reflect, and commit to life with every person who visits us. We believe that the more people join this journey, the stronger the defense and care of Mother Earth will be, multiplying this message and contributing to the protection of life from their own spaces. 

How do you integrate the protection of Mother Earth into the tourism experiences? 

From the very first moment, we guide visitors to walk through the territory with respect—to listen, to observe, and to leave no negative footprint. Each experience is a lesson in understanding that we are part of nature, not its owners. Additionally, we promote practices rooted in our own traditional knowledge. One of these is the planting of native trees, respecting the timing of our calendars and understanding that nature has its own cycles.

We also teach them about caring for water sources, protecting ‘life spaces,’ and the importance of not polluting. For us, it is clear that we all depend on the territory; therefore, every action seeks to maintain balance and harmony with Mother Earth. 

What opportunities has community-based tourism created for women? 

Community-based tourism has created spaces to strengthen our local economies. Through crafts, weaving, and other processes, we women have been able to showcase the riches of our territory. It has also allowed our skills to be valued, strengthening our participation and our contribution to the community.

It is necessary to keep working so that we women are heard in the care of Mother Earth, because we are the caretakers of life, the transmitters of knowledge, and the sustainers of multiple community processes. Our voice holds memory, knowledge, and commitment, and it is fundamental for protecting Mother Earth.