INDIGENOUS IN COLOMBIA

Before the discovery of America, those who

lived there were indigenous people with their
native customs and traditions.
Unfortunately the colonizers over time
separated them from their beliefs and traditions
to such an extent that in America the
indigenous represent 8% of the population and
in Colombia 3,4%.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION IN THE NATIONAL TERRITORY

Most of the indigenous people who live in Colombia are located in the departments of La Guajira
(19%), Cauca (17%), Cordoba (10%), Nariño (11%) and Sucre (6%), although they are distributed
throughout the country.

MAIN INDIGENOUS TRIBES THAT INHABIT COLOMBIA

-Arhuaco: Established in the South East of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and their mother
tongue is Chibcha, they live from the sale of (cattle and sheep) as well as from the cultivation of
coffee and cassava. They are polytheists, the lay of the universe governs their customs and thus
follow the path to the future with all integrity.
-Wayuu: Located north of La Guajira, and have spread to Manaure and Maicao, their language is
Arawak and they live on Livestock and the sale of Handicrafts. Women are practically held captive
in a manual labor regime, until they are considered fit for marriage. Men compare them to their
families for animals or jewelry.
-Kogi: They are located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and like the Arhuacos, their
language is Chibcha. Their ideology is governed by mother earth, which is the most sacred thing
for them, since from it they receive everything to subsist. Its economic activity is sowing.
-Emberá: They also receive other names such as Pacifico Cholos or Chamie among others. Their
language is Waunaan and they practice fishing and hunting. They inhabit the Pacific and the
department of Córdoba. Most of his life revolves around the spirits that communicate through their
shamans and indicate how they should regulate their life, health and coexistence with nature.
-Guambianos: Settled in Cauca for the most part, this tribe believes in marriage, in which the man
can unconditionally choose his partner. Its mother language is Guambiano and its cosmogony is
based on the dual system, masculine - feminine, white - black, hot or cold, etc. Its economy is
based on the cultivation of corn, onions, potatoes, among others, and they complement it with
livestock by 25%.

CURRENT REALITY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN COLOMBIA

Unfortunately, indigenous groups around the world are disappearing due to different factors, such
as the non-optimal living conditions, the deficiencies of their ancient medicine and the loss of
biodiversity that occurs every day on the planet.
Fortunately, there are many entities around the world that watch over your rights and well-being. In
Colombia is the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN), Cauca Regional
Indigenous Council (CRIC), National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), and
Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC), among others.

LUIS MIGUEL CARDENAS, JUAN CAMILO DE LOS RÍOS PIEDRAHITA 11-3