Cueva de Cuchumba

Location:
Colombia

Trekking

By Lorraine Caputo

Not too far from Hacienda La Esperanza, along the Quebrada El Cóncavo, is Cueva de Cuchumba. This cave with a waterfall within was once an important ceremonial center for the U'wa. It was here they kept the image of a woman on cloth that a tall white man with a long white beard, dressed in white, had given them many generations earlier. They kept a fire of wax and “failejón” illuminating it. In 1736, Padre Miguel Blasco was catechizing to the U'wa and gifted them with a small painting of Our Lady of the Rosary. The U'wa responded, "We already have one, much more beautiful and splendorous." The priest had the U'wa textile moved to the church in Güicán, where you can see it today. The magical cave with its cascade bathing the stone walls is still there, though, near the Quebrada El Concavo.

Getting There
From Hacienda La Esperanza, the walk takes about 10 minutes; from Cabañas Guaicany, one hour.

Travel Tips: A path from Güicán also goes to the Cueva.