Surrounded by lush wild fauna and a rare breed of ancestral and modern sounds, the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta in the Colombian department of Magdalena is known as the heart of the world. It’s here that ancient rituals, herbal medicine and the healing power of music come together. This very place holds a certain power that the Kogui people call their ‘esuama’, or place of origin. Through a sense of belonging and a deep appreciation for the earth, the sun, the moon, and all living energy, they remind us that we are all here for a bigger purpose: to love.
Proclaimed as “una experiencia para tu alma” (an experience for your soul), the Flower Power Retreat is the first of its kind. Born as a natural escape to connect with oneself, nature and music, its founder is none other than Liliana “Li” Saumet, lead singer-songwriter of the acclaimed Colombian group Bomba Estéreo and a native Samaria herself. Bomba Estéreo rose to international fame in the mid-2000s with hits like 2008’s ‘Fuego’ and ‘El Alma y el Cuerpo’ from their 2012 album Elegancia Tropical.
Often credited as pioneers of a movement known as “Electro-cumbia” or Nueva Cumbia”, the group uniquely blends cumbia, champeta and other Afro-Colombian rhythms with electronic beats and synths. This genre-bending approach created a fresh, energetic sound that deeply resonated with both Colombian and international audiences. In fact, Saumet never intended to be a singer. It was in Bogotá while she studied a career in Advertising that Saumet met Simon Mejía, whom she would join to bring a unique perspective to the group. Quickly, she realized that through music she could write songs to inspire others to connect more with themselves, the universe and therefore, share more love.
The 5-day retreat came to life at the extraordinary eco sanctuary Gitana Del Mar, nestled in the heart of la Sierra Nevada, near the town of Buritaca. Each morning began with a guided daily practice at Yoga Shala with skilled instructor Katie Dondzila, followed by an unforgettable ice and sound therapy that explored physical and emotional limits through the healing power of ice and the sounds of native tambores. Acclaimed Mexican Biohacker and physiotherapist Jose Carlos Medina, known as “Piraña”, refers to the ice bath as bendito hielo (blessed ice). Through careful breath work techniques, he prepared us to immerse our bodies in an outdoor concrete tub adorned with vibrant flowers from the region. The restorative experience was accompanied by the coastal Colombian sounds of talented percussionist Pacho Carnaval, lovingly referred to by Saumet as her tambor sanador.
Also a member of Bomba Estéreo, Carnaval has been a fixture in the Colombian folklore scene since he played his first tambor at age 8 and throughout his career has worked with the likes of Pernett, La Payara, Ácido Pantera and of course Bomba Estéreo. In addition, he leads his own music project called Ronkamara, which fuses altelectronic rhythms with the folkloric sounds that define his cultural essence.
A skilled gaitero (flautist) and songwriter as well, Carnaval’s superpower lies in the rhythm of his hands. As he puts it, “Something comes over me. I can play my tambor for hours at a time”. As each person slowly submerged in the flower ice bath, Carnaval rhythmically played his tambor while Piraña chanted, “Te va a sanar, el hielo te va a sanar, te va a sanar…”(It will heal you, the ice will heal you).
Other highlights included a stunning cacao ceremony led by renowned herbal medicine woman, Paula Silva, and accompanied by talented multi-instrumentalist, Ravi Ramoneda. Hailing from Spain, Ramoneda is known for his fiercely diverse musical abilities, which include playing various instruments like the guitar, hang drum, bansuri (an Indian bamboo flute), and other traditional flutes. His music is heavily influenced by his spiritual journey and connection with different world music traditions, blending elements of Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean music. As Silva guided us through an immersive breath work journey seduced by the aromas of native cacao, Ramoneda created a unique meditative sound that transported us to a truly serene, introspective space. “Que todos los seres de todos los mundos encuentren la paz en su corazón”, he breathtakingly sang.
As for the healing power of flowers, Ana Acker, a passionate flower therapist tells us, “Each flower has a divine energy that can transform the negative that affects us. They are excellent companions on the path that support us in the goal of healing sorrows and traumas until a new rebirth of strength and peace comes along. Flowers have the power to help us achieve the best version of ourselves”. And as revered speaker Michelle Piters puts it, “The time to transform is now”.
Sierra Nevada-based ‘Lab of Herbal Arts’, Yerbatería, provided renewing scents throughout the week where founder Andrea teamed up with holistic health specialist Cinthia Lindheimer, also known as Fercci, to discuss the masculine and feminine duality of plants, and in all of us. They proposed that regardless of our gender, it is critical that we are equally in tune with both sides. As Yerbatería and local art platform Macondo Herald boldly affirm, “Somos flores del mismo jardín” (we are all flowers of the same garden). Colombian singer and Flower Power Retreat guest Naty Botero goes on to say, “Flores y colores, magia por todos lados tenemos en Colombia” (Flowers and colors, we have magic everywhere in Colombia).
The retreat came to an end with a once in a lifetime beachside Bomba Estéreo concert for an intimate group of about 40 “flores” as the Flower Power team described. Bomba Estéreo, Ravi Ramoneda and cumbia musicians gave life to the majestic sounds playing everything from Bomba Estéreo’s hits like soulful 2022 collab with Manu Chao, ‘Me Duele’, Bomba staples such as ‘Ahora’ and ‘Somos Dos’, and a legendary rendition of Totó La Momposina’s ‘Yo Me Llamo Cumbia’.
Founder Li Saumet says she now seeks creativity in life’s daily pleasures as we are all part of the earth. “The best medicine can be found in nature and inside us”, she confirms. Saumet assures there will be new Bomba Estéreo music coming soon that will reflect this journey of connection back to oneself and nature and inspire us all to authentically proclaim “si soy suficiente, soy espectacular, soy yo”.
All photos by Valerie Amor