Traditional knowledge of the nagwar (iraca) plant and its educational value among the guna people

Abstract

This article analyzes the traditional knowledge associated with the “nagwar” plant (Carludovica palmata) and its educational value among the Guna people. From a descriptive and sociocultural perspective, it examines its uses in traditional house construction, ritual practice, and artisanal production, demonstrating that it is not merely a natural resource but an organized system of knowledge transmitted across generations. The study draws on theoretical contributions related to intercultural bilingual education and the sociocultural approach to learning, highlighting how this knowledge strengthens cognitive processes, cultural identity, and environmental values. The findings show that “nagwar” becomes a meaningful pedagogical tool when integrated into the school curriculum, as it connects mother tongue, territory, and collective memory. The article concludes that incorporating ancestral knowledge into formal education is not a folkloric act but a conscious pedagogical decision that promotes relevant, contextualized, and culturally meaningful education for the Guna people.

Binsaed Issegwad:

Sabga narmaglesad binsae igi babgan igar dummagan duiggwa sedaniggid nagwar (Carludovica palmata) geb igi odurdagbuggwa Gunayargi. E igar wala maid sunmalegoe geb igi neggweburgi we nagwar ebulenai sunna neg sobegala, war uegala geb sunna egi garba, bigbi, sile soblebali daglenasundo unnila bab dummad ibmar soggwenga obessuli, obesa we ibmar anna ogwaega e mimmigan odurdaggega e mimmigan mer iegega. We sabga narmeglesad sunmagnabali Nangar burba odulegdi geb neggweburgi duiggwa addoedgi nabir we soggwen ogannoega Nagwargi sunmglenaid mimmigan ebinsaed ogannoega, anmar daed ogannoega nabir yar suid bendaggega. Soglenabali nagwar sunna ibdurdagged neggi odurdaglege ibigala addonai anmar gwabin ogannoega, yar suidgi arbaega geb bagan igar mer burguega. Obelonaidgi sunmaglenabali anmar babgan e burbamar odosdibe ibdurdaggedneggi unnila isse oganoegarsuli ibigala anmar daed ogannolegoe iburdagmalad nabir sunmaggega mimmiganga babgan burba mer ieyegega.