Kamëntsá Carnaval: A Celebration of Ancestral Forgiveness and Cultural Resilience - Dia Grande Besknate

The Kamëntsá people of the Sibundoy Valley - One of Colombia’s most profound Indigenous celebrations—the Kamëntsá Carnaval of Forgiveness. At Shanayoy Healing Center, we proudly uphold and revitalize our ancestral traditions deeply rooted in forgiveness, spirituality, and renewal.

Ancestral Roots and Spiritual Meaning of the Besknate, Dia Grande

This vibrant festival is a joyous gathering and an ancient spiritual practice of forgiveness that has been part of the Kamentsa culture since colonization. The Carnaval symbolizes our collective act of forgiving historical disruptions and pain caused by colonization, a trauma initiated by the Spanish conquest. Today, we continue this essential spiritual practice, transforming past wounds into present healing through rituals, music, and dance.

Ayahuasca and Spiritual Cleansing

One of the cornerstones of Kamëntsá's traditional culture is the sacred use of plant medicine for healing. Known locally as Yagé and more widely as Ayahuasca, this ancestral brew has been used in ceremonial practice for millennia by the Indigenous peoples of this region. Beyond medicine, Yagé is a spiritual portal—offering deep healing, insight, and connection to the natural and spiritual worlds. It is one of the main reasons seekers worldwide are drawn to the Sibundoy Valley.

At Shanayoy, we honor and preserve these sacred teachings. Our Ayahuasca (Yagé) ceremonies during the Kamëntsá Carnaval serve as profound moments of purification and spiritual renewal, helping us reconnect with the ancestral wisdom guiding our collective healing, resilience, and forgiveness.

🎶 Celebrate the Beginning of the Year 🎶

The Kamëntsá Carnaval also marks the spiritual and cultural beginning of our year, carried by the Moon Calendar. It is a powerful time of renewal in which our community gathers to honor Mother Earth, share traditional foods, showcase beautiful artisan crafts, and immerse ourselves in music and dance, keeping our vibrant culture alive and thriving.

Unique Lunar Calendar Connection

The Kamëntsá Carnaval is deeply connected to the lunar calendar, occurring precisely 40 days before Palm Sunday. This unique alignment reflects our ancestral understanding of celestial cycles and the rhythms of nature, guiding our community’s spiritual preparation and setting the stage for deep reflection and renewal.

Indigenous Cultural Immersion

Our Beginning of the Year Retreat at Shanayoy culminates the day before El Gran Día—the peak of the Carnaval. We invite you to deepen your journey by staying and celebrating with the Kamëntsá, guardians of the ancestral knowledge of Yagé (Ayahuasca), and immerse yourself in the heart of a living culture that honors spirit, earth, and community.

📍 Kamëntsá Carnaval, Sibundoy Valley, Colombia 📅 Marking the New Year & Spiritual Rebirth

✨ Come with an open heart, leave transformed ✨