OneRiver - About Us
Nothing is too far if you are not in a hurry…
Who are we?
We warmly invite you to discover the magical land of OneRiver, where the power of nature, the wisdom of plants, and cultural diversity come together in perfect harmony. For 13 years, our journey has been intertwined with South America, a land whose beauty we continuously explore and admire from many perspectives. Throughout this rich and transformative experience, we have learned from the traditions and teachings of the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. OneRiver is our way of sharing this profound knowledge with you.
Our Team
Darius Ślusarczyk
The OneRiver project has been an extraordinary journey that began for me many years ago. In 2008, after years of searching, traveling across multiple continents, and working in various industries, I found myself on an independent path through the Green Continent. This journey became both a remedy and a guide for the next stages of my life. My fascination with Indigenous cultures and communities began much earlier - back in the 1990s, when I studied music in Cuba and took part in numerous events related to Afro-Cuban culture. My desire to explore their spiritual mysteries, rituals, and traditions led me to seek deeper knowledge on other continents. What I discovered was a continuous stream of wisdom, flowing through generations like the ancient course of a river.
In 2009, while in Colombia, I found inspiration that I soon transformed into action. For over a decade, I have been organizing expeditions that combine a passion for world exploration with a mission to support the Indigenous cultures of Latin America and offer opportunities for personal growth.
For me, traveling is much more than just moving from place to place. It is a constant process of uncovering mysteries that also leads to deeper self-discovery. Encounters with Indigenous teachers and local communities in Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico have opened new pathways for me - ones that foster harmony between body and mind.
I see our mission as more than just supporting Indigenous cultures. It is about building bridges - between modernity and tradition, between humans and nature, and between the material and spiritual worlds. Through our efforts, we provide access to knowledge, create spaces for exchange, and offer tangible opportunities that extend far beyond the boundaries of individual communities.
My experience, gained over years as an event organizer in Poland, the USA, and Colombia, as well as working as a translator of Spanish and English, has allowed me to appreciate the beauty of diverse traditions and the power that lies in their interconnection. Music holds a special place in my life - it has become a gateway to sound healing, a hidden mystery at the very heart of the universe.
Magda Sokołowska
I am passionate about culture, art, and spirituality, and my personal and professional journey has long been dedicated to exploring the richness of traditions and wisdom from various cultures. I hold a degree in ethnology and cultural anthropology and have also studied Oriental studies and cultural marketing.
My passion and expertise have shaped my career, which has spanned cultural, educational, and intercultural projects, as well as documenting artistic and social initiatives. As a coordinator at the Monte Wideo Foto Foundation, I co-created the Independent Culture Map of Poland for the European Congress of Culture and organized journalism workshops in Poland and abroad (including in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Germany). A significant chapter of my journey was co-creating Brave Kids Warsaw, part of the Brave Festival – Against Cultural Exile (under the patronage of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the National Center for Culture, and UNESCO). This project fostered intercultural exchange and integration, engaging both young artists from around the world and local communities in Poland. Between 2013 and 2017, I was responsible for its coordination, sponsorship acquisition, volunteer management, and the organization of workshops and artistic events - creating a unique platform for collaboration and dialogue.
For me, OneRiver is more than just a professional project - it is a personal journey born out of my search for harmony, well-being, and a deeper connection with nature. I help create a space that bridges the wisdom of Indigenous communities of the Amazon and the Andes with the needs of the modern world. Drawing from their traditions, art, philosophy, and spirituality, I am passionate about sharing the most beautiful and inspiring aspects of these cultures. I believe that knowledge about nature, plants, and spirituality can help us all find meaning and balance in everyday life - and I strive to make this wisdom accessible to anyone who may need it.
A shared journey along One River
If you’ve found your way here, chances are you, too, carry the spark of an explorer and traveler within you. That same fire ignited in our hearts years ago when we first set foot in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. We were drawn to the hidden, the exotic, the mysterious - things that seemed either unknowable or almost unbelievable. Along the way, we were fortunate to meet many teachers deeply connected to the energy of the Earth. They introduced us to traditional ways of working with plants, opening doors to profound inner exploration. With faith and a childlike curiosity, we continue to discover that the mystery we once sought does not elude us. Instead, it welcomes us - inviting us to explore it step by step and to share the fruits of this journey with you.
Flowing together in the current of One River, we become researchers, enthusiasts of ethnology, lovers of aesthetics, and admirers of Indigenous cultures. For us, travel is a metaphor for life - a willingness to embrace true adventures and quests, including those of the spirit. When we look at the world this way, we don’t need to venture far to uncover entirely new dimensions of reality - and of ourselves. Inspired by the elements - Water, Earth, Fire, and Air - that form the essence of our world, we learn to harness their power and wisdom. In the OneRiver space, we invite you to embark on this journey with us and explore these fundamental forces of nature.
Why South America?
For as long as we can remember, South America has evoked images of impenetrable jungles, wild animals, and Indigenous communities inhabiting untouched lands - visited by explorers, ethnobotanists, and adventurers. The influence of globalization and Western culture is increasingly shaping social changes, even in regions home to Indigenous cultures. Yet, many of these tribes, living in environments vastly different from modern civilization, have managed to preserve their ancestral wisdom and deep connection with the forces of nature. From them, we draw stories of ancestors, spirituality, and the unity of Life, as well as an immense wealth of knowledge about natural medicine and traditional customs.
Following the trails of the Amazon and the Andes, we also encountered the ancient sources of Sun worship, an essential element present in cultures across the world. Though seemingly hidden, it remains in plain sight for those who know how to look. In this way, pantheistic philosophy weaves through our journey, revealing the profound unity between nature, spirituality, and existence itself.
OneRiver Foundation
We feel a deep connection with our Brothers and Sisters from the Indigenous communities of the Amazon, who have welcomed us countless times, generously sharing their knowledge, natural medicine, and culture. Guided by gratitude and admiration for their way of life, we decided to establish the OneRiver Foundation - a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting the residents of villages in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. Through this project, we aim to address needs that go beyond what these communities can currently sustain on their own.
We are building a global community that brings together individuals and organizations from around the world. Our involvement in various initiatives allows us to regularly allocate a portion of our revenue to support Indigenous people of the Amazon. We invite you to actively participate in our efforts - so that this space can become a haven for those who seek to create a better, more beautiful world based on cooperation, respect, and exchange. If you would like to contribute to this growing project, we are open to your ideas and collaboration.
Shop & Articles from South America
Every journey has a defining element - one that continuously stimulates our senses and deepens our understanding of the unknown. That element is experience. As we traveled across South America, we began to notice a different kind of storytelling - one beyond literature - a lived experience of magical realism. By experiencing, magic becomes real. Through scents, flavors, and the richness of textures and qualities that at first seem exotic yet feel deeply familiar, we immerse ourselves in this world. We want to share our discoveries - a palette of colors, textures, patterns, symbols, natural aromas, and entirely new, surprising flavors - a feast for all the senses. But this is more than just an indulgence in sensations from the jungle; it is also a collection of ancient recipes and remedies passed down by the people of the Andes and the Amazon, who have preserved their natural healing traditions for generations.
Through our OneRiver store, we offer carefully selected authentic handicrafts and premium plant-based remedies. Thanks to our direct connections with local experts and Indigenous communities, we source only trusted, high-quality natural products. Every item in our collection embodies authenticity and respect for tradition, knowledge, and culture. On the OneRiver website, you will also find insightful articles and photographs, providing you with a deeper glimpse into the world of our travels.
The parrot symbol in the OneRiver logo
In many Amazonian communities, the parrot is revered as a power animal or totem, symbolizing intelligence, fortune, and loyalty. Our own journey with these remarkable birds began when we first encountered the Indigenous cultures of the Putumayo region in Colombia, home to the guacamayo parrots, also known as macaws.
These majestic birds mate for life - a deep connection that is honored in many traditions. It is said that if one partner dies, the other cannot bear the loneliness and, soaring high into the sky, will dive straight down to meet the earth in a final act of devotion.
Parrots are also celebrated for their intelligence and ability to mimic sounds, which may contribute to their profound social bonds and strong sense of belonging.
In many Indigenous traditions, these birds are symbols of good fortune. Seeing a pair of macaws flying together in the wild is believed to be a sign of great luck. Their vibrant feathers, cherished across many cultures, are used in shamanic attire and rituals, reflecting the richness and colors of nature itself. In some communities, the parrot is also associated with the south and the sun - a guiding force of life.
On a more personal level, parrots are a daily presence in the home of our dear friend and teacher, Taita Florentino Agreda in Colombia. There, a small flock of parrots fills the air with their chatter, bringing the environment to life. It was in this moment that we saw the true essence of energy, harmony, and vitality. From then on, we knew that the parrot had to become the central figure in our logo - a guide and embodiment of the values that define OneRiver.
