Do you have ecological practices? Reducing your environmental footprint and sharing your values are your priority. What if the ecovillage is for you?
An ecovillage is a community "on a human scale" that seamlessly combines human activities with nature to support healthy and sustainable living at multiple levels.
The Ecovillages are mainly part of rural areas, and they can even be an intentional, traditional or urban community. Like any small community, ecovillages are places of innovation. But unlike Silicon Valley, which seeks to push technology forward, ecovillages are nurseries for innovative social solutions.
Many references state a strong influence of ancient culture for sustainable living in today’s Ecovillages. But, there is no definite relationship between ancient impact and the ecovillage movement, which is happening over the world. We can say that there’s a strong influence of elements of the American peoples in Latin America and specifically Colombian region-based ecovillage community’s philosophy. Things, such as good Living, are being integrated into private spaces, and there are many ideas and meanings articulated in these ecological and cultural spaces.
(Centro Las Gaviotas ecovillage community in Colombia, South America)
Although it is not convenient to limit the influence of good living only to the extent of the ecological movement, it must take it in crossways since its setting is so vast that it covers the other areas and principles to take essentially.
(Ecuador Community)
The concept of Good Living is of ancient origin, and its roots are present with Andean (Peoples of the South American region) thoughts. In Ecuador, it comes from the Quechua "Sumak Kawsay", the closest translation that is the idea of living together and living fully, in material and spiritual harmony. The Sumak Kawsay or Suma QamañaIt is present in opposition to the western vision of the "good life" that emerges from the "Biblical and Aristotelian" ideologies and to the materialistic concept of "Better Living".
This Main Principle is followed by the other their four principles that seek the "Common Good of Humanity" from the composition stated by François Houtart:
(i) Sustainable and careful use of natural resources, based on human abilities to build and sustain a society from the viewpoint of conservation of nature
(ii) Privilege of using valuable approach over materialism, to strengthen social bond and utilisation attached to needs
(iii) Expansion of democracy in all social connections and foundation, and
(iv) Multi-Culturalism that opens opportunities to gain knowledge that contributes to the ethics of the common good (Farah & Vasapollo 2011: 23-24)
In the cultural aspect, the ecovillage movement in Colombia draws directly from various initial references. Chibchas (South American Community) assumes the spaces of spirituality such as rituals where all the eco-villagers celebrate special moments with the community. Through their pattern of Life, they also celebrate the summer and winter seasons and other festivals together.
(Chibcha Family - Los Muiscas)
(Source: TOMi.digital)
We also find a wide range of activities related to fundamental health practices of indigenous origins, such as sacred dances of connection with the earth, timescales, healing through sacred plants.
The Colombian ecovillage movement has over the years developed one platform for sharing the opinion of community people. They conduct an annual meeting that invites indigenous groups, traditional peasant communities, the eco-villagers of Colombia, social innovators, educators and socially committed entrepreneurs, who have managed to exchange their experiences and nurture each other from their different knowledge.
Precisely, the last call of the mountain was carried out in the ancestral territory of the original (The Call of the Mountain 2015), as one more example of influence and voicing with traditional ways of conceiving that great theoretical and practical span that is Good Living.
Who has not ever thought, "this life is not for me"?
If you hate the city’s pollution, its hustle and bustle, you may have to consider moving to an ecovillage.
Some people have already taken this step to follow the path to self-reliance. This type of human settlement usually occurs in abandoned rural areas, seeking a sustainable and Earth-friendly lifestyle.
Living in an ecovillage enables us to use renewable energy sources, carry out agriculture activities and other organic activities.
Orchard EcoVillage, the modern ecovillage where you will want to go for a better living
The Orchard EcoVillage is present in the Cayman Islands, which is more or less a lifelong town but with current technology and the fundamental ecovillage ideologies.
“Low-tech” building materials are combined with the most modern energy systems to create a very sustainable and livable environment.
Houses at EcoVillage has solar panels on the roof; the shed with three skylights has an aquaponic system, where both fish and vegetables are grown; and of course, there is a spacious parking lot for parking the vehicles.
All-inclusive, The Ecovillage is a 21-acre inclusive master-planned lakefront community in the Lower Valley of Grand Cayman. It offers the investors and residents a safe and modern life, work, play, learn and grow community, including a fully-equipped wellness centre. There is a pool at the cabana side, a yoga and Pilates studio, an onsite greenhouse and farmers market, a school and a co-working innovation centre.
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