Caring for the big house: Indigenous cosmoexperiences and lessons learned from the UNESCO World Heritage designation awarded to Tatewarí Huahuyé

Indigenous cosmoexperiences, exemplified by the Wixárika pilgrimage through sacred sites to Wirikuta (Tatewarí Huajuyé) in Mexico, demonstrate transformative potential for environmental care beyond human-centric frameworks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site embodies a relationality between people and nature that challenges modern utilitarian principles, offering a model of 'cosmopolitical' defense of territories. The study combines literature review, case analysis, and interviews to explore how Indigenous practices—rooted in deep ecological knowledge—can reshape global environmental governance. By leveraging political and legislative resources, the Wixárika community showcases how cosmoexperiences can foster collective care for Earth, providing a blueprint for reimagining human-nature relationships amid climate crisis.

Sánchez Contreras, J., Candelario Robles, T., Gamlin, J., Millán Moncayo, M., & Fernández Borja, H. (2026). Caring for the big house: Indigenous cosmoexperiences and lessons learned from the UNESCO World Heritage designation awarded to Tatewarí Huahuyé. Frontiers in Climate, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2026.1839075