Territorio perdido / Lost territory
The Embera Chamí Puru is an indigenous community located in the Caquetá Department of Colombia. They have their own unique culture, traditions, and language, which they have preserved over generations. The community lives in close connection with nature and practices traditional agriculture, relying on fishing, hunting, and cultivating food crops such as cassava, maize, and bananas. Like many indigenous communities in Colombia, the Embera Chamí Puru face various challenges. These include land conflicts, the loss of traditional territories, the threat to their natural resources, and the recognition of their rights as an indigenous group. The Embera Chamí in San José Canelos, too, have had a tragic and violent past, which accompanies them to this day. They were driven out of their traditional homelands in Honduras by guerrilla groups in 2005, and fled to Florencia, Caquetá. On reaching Florencia, they were divided up into several different districts, without having access to their own land, which has been very important to them. Their stay there was characterized by threats, violence, and fear. They fought the city of Florencia for their own territory and were granted land in San José de Canelos, over two hours from Florencia. But even here life is not easy. This piece of land is mainly for livestock, which is not an area to grow fruits or vegetables. In addition, the Emberá Chamí do not have access to drinking water, which makes the situation even more difficult. Back in Honduras, they had everything. They had animals, could grow a lot of food and they had access to clean water. All of this is now missing here in San José Canelos. Throughout Colombia, indigenous communities are fighting and even risking their lives every day for their rights, justice, territory, and recognition.