Oberhausbergen – Strasbourg. Root Peoples: a 4th forum and an off for “Being in Joy”, from September 14 to 28

"Among the Maasai, not 'being joyful' is a sign of rudeness." With this guiding principle in mind, the Ligne Verte Terre de Paix (LVTP) association is holding its ^4th Forum of Root Peoples starting this Sunday. This year, as it has since 2019 , worthy representatives of five of them are traveling to Alsace "to bear witness," its founder explains. Seeing the latter threatened in their ancestral way of life, Philippe Studer also calls for "helping them," helping them to perpetuate their territories, traditions, and know-how.

Ligne Verte Terre de Paix has a project for local and sustainable tourism for the "oldest pre-Columbian civilization" of the Maya of Mexico, discriminated against; but also support for the women of the "solidarity tribe" of the Betsimisarakas of Madagascar and the "protectors of ancient arts" that are the Kariri-Xocos of Brazil, for the production of herbal remedies; or even assistance to the Amazigh "mountain people" of Morocco for the transmission of a ritual dance and to the Penan "guardians of the forest" of Malaysia, for the construction of a house of knowledge.

There is no precise definition of "root peoples," explains the chief organizer, who prefers the term - as more "poetic" - to that of "first peoples" or "indigenous." They are said to number "350 million people in the world and speak some 4,000 of the 5,000 existing languages." "They are the guardians of 80% of the world's biodiversity," he emphasizes. "And if they come to us, it is to call for respect for three fundamental links that they have managed to preserve: to nature, to ancestors , and to others."

"Without judgment, they highlight the blind spots of our so-called modern society," the president of LVTP also emphasizes, citing the examples of Christ on the cross at the cathedral or the locked spring of Mont Sainte-Odile , which have... "saddened" them. Western man could "be inspired by their wisdom and spirituality," sees Philippe Studer. [Note that the event is intended to be "areligious" and above all "apolitical."]

Before the forum itself, which will take place from Friday, September 19th to Sunday, September 21st in Oberhausbergen, the twenty or so guests will visit some of the region's emblematic sites and, above all, will talk with employees of sponsoring companies. To admire feathered headdresses and fabrics shimmering with colors and patterns, a costumed and musical march is being organized in Strasbourg on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, an off-site forum will be included in the program for the first time. The program is therefore more extensive than in previous years, and made possible by the behind-the-scenes assistance of some forty of the association's coordinators and volunteers.

Learn more about the Green Line for Peace association: www.ligneverteterredepaix.org