Tribal people
I’ve always been super curious about tribal peoples and their organization of daily life. As an Anthropologist it’s of course something you learn about, even though it was only a small part of our curriculum. That’s why, during my Master studies, I started to volunteer at Survival International. Survival International is a global movement for tribal peoples’ rights and the only organization that champions tribal peoples around the world, helps them defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.
Survival International says on their website:
“Tribal peoples have developed ways of life that are largely self-sufficient and extraordinarily diverse. Many of the world’s staple crops and drugs used in Western medicine originate with them, and have saved millions of lives. Even so, tribal peoples are portrayed as backward and primitive simply because their communal ways are different. Industrialized societies subject them to genocidal violence, slavery and racism so they can steal their lands, resources and labor in the name of ‘progress’ and ‘civilization’.
Our work is preventing the annihilation of tribal peoples. We give them a platform to speak to the world. We investigate atrocities and present evidence to the United Nations and other international forums. We support legal representation. We fund medical and self-help projects. We educate, research, campaign, lobby and protest. And we won’t give up until we all have a world where tribal peoples are respected and their human rights protected.”
In 2009 I traveled to the Amazon basin of Colombia, to carry out a 4-month internship, helping the Tikuna community of San Martin de Amacayacu to digitalise their ancestral territory. The Tikuna community has been struggling for years to destine official recognition, organisation and protection of the commmunity’s ancestral lands. Due to circumstances, I unfortunately didn’t fulfil my project. However this short experience has taught me a lot of life lessons I will keep close at heart. I’m happy to share the full story over a cup of coffee or a good glass of wine.