ANEI

.Located in northern Colombia, Anei (the Association of Indigenous and Campesino Agroecological Producers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía del Perijá) was founded in 1995 by Aurora Izquierdo. As the first Arhuaco woman of the Yewrwa community to obtain a university degree, her goal was to organize the local indigenous and farmer economies. She used coffee as a tool to secure the future of those communities through the implementation of eco-sustainable programs and projects, strengthening organizational processes and reclaiming the social, economic, and cultural rights of members. ANEI produces high-quality organic coffee grown in harmony with, and with respect for, Mother Earth.

The Anei cooperative consists of indigenous Arahuacos, Cogis, Güigüas, Kankuamo, as well as  campesino groups among its 700+ members scattered through the southeastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Anei seeks to support indigenous cultures in the region by sustaining autonomous indigenous governance structures, supporting local “cabildos,'' and deferring leadership to local “mamos” or village elders. They also support local economies by managing community shops known as “Jwi Kakumay''.

 Growing coffee organically supports their world-view of being the “elder brothers'' of humanity and stewards of the environment, responsible for maintaining the balance of the universe. Climate change is considered a failure of the “younger brothers” (the rest of the world, known as bunachi). Their philosophy maintains that in order to bring back balance, they need to make offerings in sacred sites. Every harvest season, they ask permission from the earth to take from the earth, with a future promise to return to it.

Tasting Profile: Balanced body and acidity with brown sugar, lemon, almond and cocoa.