Podcast Cultural Representation San Lorenzo - De La Hoz, Daza & Carrera

The Cultural Echoes podcast discusses an impactful documentary about the Embarachami community in San Lorenzo, Colombia. The documentary explores their cultural heritage, resilience, and the challenges they faced during the armed conflict. Despite facing land loss, discrimination, and violence, the community has preserved their language, traditions, and agricultural practices. The documentary highlights the violations of their human rights and the community's efforts towards recovery and peacebuilding. The Wargir Indígena initiative plays a crucial role in protecting their land and cultural heritage. The community leaders and organizations have been instrumental in maintaining unity and representing their interests. Cultural representation, such as the documentary, aids in peace building by preserving their history and promoting reconciliation. Collective memory is important in building a sense of identity and solidarity. The making of the documentary was a collective effort to preserv Hello and welcome to another episode of Cultural Echoes, where we dive deep into the stories that shape our collective memory and community identity. I'm María Fernanda. And I'm María del Mar. Today we have a special episode focusing on an incredible documentary, literally incredible, that we watched this week with María Fernanda, Vidrua, Vida y Lucha Organizativa, Territorio Ancestral, San Lorenz. This documentary is a powerful exploration of the Embarachami community in San Lorenzo, their rich cultural heritage and their resilience in the face of decades of conflict. As someone who has studied the armed conflict in Colombia extensively, I found their story incredibly moving and significant. Absolutely. And this documentary gave us a deeper insight into the making of it and the research behind it, which was actually shocking and we didn't know about it. We have a special guest with us today. She is an expert in the Embarachami community, Lorena de Laos. Thank you, María Fernanda, María del Mar. It's great to be here and share more about this important project. So, Lorena, let's start with some background. San Lorenzo is such a fascinating place. Can you tell our listeners a bit more about its location and history? Absolutely. San Lorenzo is located in the heart of Colombia's central mountain range, specifically in the municipalities of Rio Sucio and Zupia. It was officially recognized as a reservation on June 29, 2000 by the Instituto Colombiano de la Reforma Agraria. Today, it's home of 21 communities with about 14,317 indigenous people living there. You know, what really struck me in the commentary was that the Embarachami community has preserved their culture despite so many challenges. You know, do you remember that scene where they were waving baskets? It was so intricate and beautiful, for real. Yes, María del Mar, I remember that part. It was so impactful for me. The documentary showed how their craftsmanship is not just a skill but a crucial part of their identity. Lorena, can you tell us more about their cultural traditions? Yeah, sure. The Embarachami community is remarkable in their preservation of culture. They maintain their language, belief, and traditional agricultural practices such as planting bananas, cassava, and corn. They are also known for their exquisite craftsmanship in waving baskets and making them. Despite facing land loss, discrimination, and armed conflict, they have kept their cultural identity alive. One thing that really stood out, like what's really important for me, was the impact the armed conflict had in the community. It was heartbreaking, for real, to see how much the community suffered, how the losses they went through, and all of that. So, Mafé, as someone who knows a lot about the armed conflict, because I know you know a lot about it, in Colombia, what are your thoughts about all that happened in the documentary? Okay, the impact of the armed conflict in San Lorenzo is like a microcosm of what many communities across Colombia have endured. Since the 1980s, a lot of armed groups like the EPL, M19, FARC, and paramilitaries like the AUC fought for their control in the region, leading to widespread violence, forced displacement, and human rights abuses. The community of San Lorenzo faced unbelievable challenges, yet their resilience shines through. I remember one particular specific moment in the documentary where a community member talks about how the guerrillas, paramilitaries, and even the Colombian army were all pressuring them to collaborate because they refused. Each group accused them of working with their enemies, causing immense suffering and shame within the community. So, Lorena, can you expand more about the specific human rights that were violated? Certainly, the Mbrecha and community in San Lorenzo faced severe human rights violations. Their territorial rights were infringed upon by armed groups, leading to forced displacement and loss of ancestral lands. Their rights to life and personal security were compromised due to violence, kidnappings, and murders. Lastly, their cultural rights were under threat as armed groups imposed restrictions for them to abandon their customs and practices. It is heartbreaking to hear about the suffering of the Mbrecha and community. Despite immense challenges, their courage and resilience stand out. They refused to surrender to violence, demonstrating incredible strength and determination. Their resilience is a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity. The community's efforts towards recovery and peacebuilding were really inspiring for me. I was particularly moved by their ancestral rituals. I don't know if that happened to you, but it seems like such a powerful way to heal and connect with their roots, so I want to know a bit more about it. Absolutely. Lorena, can you tell us more about how the community has been working towards recovery and peacebuilding? The community recovery process involves emotional healing and rebuilding their social fabric. They have engaged in psychosocial measures, ancestral rituals, and reparative actions. Government and international support have been crucial, but ongoing efforts are necessary to achieve lasting peace and well-being. This kind of reminds me of a work of Margarita Mathias. I don't know if you guys know her. She is a Kenyan environmental and political activist who founded the Green Belt Movement. She believes in the power of community and environment restoration as a path to peace. Lorena, do you think there is a connection between such global peacebuilding efforts and what is happening in San Lorenzo? Yes, for sure. The principles of community resilience, environmental stewardship, and collective action are universal in peacebuilding. Just like Mathias' work, the Embracha's efforts are about reclaiming their land and cultural heritage, which is foundational for peace and stability. One of their key initiatives is the Wargir Indígena. The Wargir Indígena is such a powerful example of community action. It protects their autonomy, land, and culture. Can you tell us more about their role and activities, Lorena? Yeah, yeah. The Wargir Indígena is a community-based initiative where members take on the responsibility of protecting their territory and cultural heritage. They organize events to preserve and teach their culture to the younger generations and showcase it. This includes everything from traditional ceremonies to educational workshops. Their work is crucial to maintain the community's identity and autonomy. You know, I just knew it. Like, the prowlers with the one that Mathias worked are real careers. Just as he used environmental conservation to build peace, the Embracha and me are using cultural preservation and community protection. It's a holistic approach to peacebuilding, you know. And it's a reminder that peacebuilding is not just about ending conflict, but also about restoring and preserving culture and identity. Exactly. I think the Wargir Indígena's efforts are inspiring because they not only protect the land, but also serve as a role model for the younger generation. They empower the youth to take pride in their heritage and actively participate in the community life, which fosters a strong sense of identity and purpose. Yes. It was one of my favorite parts of all the commentary. It showed how strong and organized they are. So, can you tell us more about the role of the leaders in the community, my friend? Yeah, yeah. Sure. Leaders were vital in maintaining unity and fighting for their rights. Organizations like Consejeros Regionales Indígenas del Departamento de Caldas and the Asociación Corregimental de los Usuarios Campesinos de San Lorenzo played key roles. They worked to reclaim land, promote cultural identity, and represent the community interest at various levels. The elders showed incredible resilience, Many of them, despite having to flee, returned to San Lorenzo after regaining strength and courage. They faced threats and violence head-on to protect the community's rights. Their leadership has been vital in maintaining unity and cultural identity. It's inspiring to see how leadership and organizations can drive such a powerful resistance. But, you know, how did the community use cultural representation to aid in their peace process? Because we often think about the documentary and stuff, but that's outside the community. How did people inside the community represent this aid to peace process? Cultural representation, like the documentary Wirua, is crucial for peace building. It preserves their historical memory and educates future generations about their struggles and resilience. By documenting their experiences, it fosters reconciliation, promotes inclusivity, and ensures their stories are acknowledged and protected, which is essential for sustainable peace and social cohesion. What do you think is the connection between collective memory and peace building? Collective memory helps communities remember and learn from their past, fostering a sense of identity and solidarity. This shared history is crucial in building a common understanding and empathy, which are fundamental for peace building. By acknowledging past injustices and celebrating resilience, communities can work towards reconciliation and a more inclusive future. And one of the most moving parts of the documentary, we've seen how the community came together to create this project. Can you tell us more about the process of making the documentary? The documentary was part of a collective preparation process agreed upon in December of 2019. The Consejo Nacional de Memoria Histórica Preparation Strategy, along with the Governing Council and traditional authorities, decided to document their history, focusing on territory, spirituality, and culture. It was a way to preserve their history and ensure future generations understand the struggles of the past. It is amazing how the documentary serves both as a historical record and a tool for advocacy. What has been the reaction from the community and beyond? Well, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. The community feels that their stories are being validated and shared with a broader audience. It has also brought attention to their ongoing struggles and the need to continue support as the community keeps growing day after day. Thank you so much, really, Lorena, for sharing this insight, for being here with us today, and for telling us a bit more about the story of the Emberechemi people and their journey toward peace, which is actually truly inspiring. And I think after this time, I totally changed my view of peace. So, thank you so much again for coming, and we'll be happy to have you another time. No, thank you for having me. It has been a pleasure to share the story of the Emberechemi community in San Lorenzo. And thank you to our listeners for joining us on this episode of Cultural Echoes. Remember to watch Viruja Vida y Lucha Organizativa, Territorio Ancestral San Lorenzo, to learn more about the incredible Emberechemi community in the territory of Caldas. Until next time, keep exploring and preserving the echoes of our diversity to cultural heritage, and be here for the next episode of Cultural Echoes.