The colonization of Colombia began in 1499, marking the onset of a brutal era in which Spanish conquistadors enslaved countless Indigenous peoples in their relentless pursuit of gold and other precious resources. The Spanish not only stripped the land of its wealth but also severed generations from their ancestral customs, languages, and spiritual identities. Hundreds of years later, young Latinos such as myself are still sifting through the fragments of our history, seeking to reclaim the cultural heritage that was violently stripped away from us.
Gold holds a significance far deeper than its material value. It is not merely a currency but something sacred — a vessel of memory, a symbol of protection, and a conduit for the spiritual energy of our ancestors. It embodies the legacy of those who came before us and guides us through the unknown, constant battle of life, and the stillness of death.
In honor of my grandparents.