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315

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Anthropology

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Jan 9, 2024

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ATH-315 Milestone Three Arianna Reiley Cultural Groups: Colombia is home to many diverse cultures, ethnicities, and identities, all of which have their own unique characteristics and qualities that add to the overall identity of the country. Some of these main cultural groups include the Mestizo population, Afro-Colombians, and the various native indigenous groups. A blend of African, European, and Indigenous ancestry makes up the Mestizo population, the largest group in Colombia. Before Spanish occupation, Mestizos were largely craftsmen and agriculturists and contributed much to the field of archaeology during this period (Benjamin Elisha Sawe, 2016). This group's multi-cultural blend leads to a variety of customs, languages, and traditions that contribute to Colombia’s diversity. Afro-Colombians make up roughly 11 percent of Colombia's population, and Colombia has one of the largest African populations in the western hemisphere (“Influence of Colombia’s African Heritage | Marca País Colombia,” 2018). Also during the colonial era, African peoples were enslaved and brought over to Colombia to work in mines and plantations. While facing continuous economic and social discrimination, Afro-Colombian culture is alive and vibrant in Colombia. This group's traditions, music, dance forms (like Cumbia and Champeta), and their culinary heritage all contribute to Colombia's cultural diversity. There are various indigenous groups in Colombia, such as the Emera, Nasa, and Wayuu groups, each with their own unique practices, beliefs, and languages.

The Wayuu people, populating the La Guajira Peninsula in northern Colombia and parts of Venezuela, have a distinct cultural identity shaped by centuries of history, resilience, and traditions. The Wayuu people are the largest indigenous group in Colombia, making up roughly 21% of its population in 1997, and their rich culture of traditions and rituals have remained resilience throughout their history (Carolina & Saavedra, 2016). The Wayuu people originate from the rainforests of Colombia and are a semi-nomadic clan people; their settlements and reservations span across 4,100 miles and are made up of 14 different groups. During Spanish colonization, the Wayuu people and the Spanish were constantly warring with each other (“Atlas of Humanity,” 2023) and their struggles with discrimination, violence, and loss of freedoms have continued into recent years. Throughout this adversity, however, the Wayuu people are fiercely dedicated to the preservation of their culture. As well as being a people that are uniquely adapted to harsher living environments, the Wayuu people are also unique in that they are a matrilineal society. Lineage, property, and social standing are all passed down through the female line; women primarily take leadership roles in the home and in the clan, being responsible for things like child-raising, household management, and preservation of culture (“Atlas of Humanity,” 2023). Women are also significant in Wayuu culture as they are the primary members responsible for weaving, storytelling, and carrying out ancient traditions. To the Wayuu people, oral traditions and mythology are of great importance. Their mythology and legends largely center around ancestral spirits, the creation of the world, and their connection with nature. Their storytelling takes place in many parts of their day-to-day lives, from friendly gatherings to shamanistic rituals. One such aspect of how storytelling is important to Wayuu culture is cuentos and chistes , or gatherings followed a loved-one's death to

share tales and experiences about that person (“Indigenous Culture in La Guajira, Colombia | Manuel Zapata Olivella,” 2015). Folklore and Mythology: Wayuu mythology and folklore is deeply rooted in their connection to the land. Their mythology largely focuses on ancestral spirits, creation stories, and the spirit of nature around them. These stories can not only be used to explain the natural world but are also stories that serve to guide the morals and beliefs of the Wayuu people. Because Colombia is so diverse, so is the folklore and mythology of the country. Mestizo spirits like Madremonte, or a protective forest spirit, and El Mohán, a river spirit, are recognized alongside Afro-Colombian deities like María Lionza, a revered spirit in Venezuelan espiritismo. Indigenous groups have a plethora of myths and legends that focus on animal spirits, heroes with supernatural abilities, and creation stories. While all of this is diverse, these different mythologies and backgrounds share common themes. These themes range from reverence for nature, natural and elemental spirits, and heroes or deities guiding and shaping the world. Specific traditions and cultural elements will vary by group; for example, the Wayuu people's connection with their environment and their weaving traditions influence their folklore and symbolism, which sets them apart from other cultural groups in Colombia. The preservation and protection of folklore, mythology, and spiritual practices is integral to Colombia's modern cultural identity. Folklore and mythology are a part of art, literature, and long-standing practices and rituals and help create a link between the past and the present. They contribute to a collective sense of belonging and pride within a community and serve to keep history and centuries of traditions alive in the modern day.

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Works Cited Benjamin Elisha Sawe. (2016, November 9). Ethnic Groups Of Colombia. Retrieved December 4, 2023, from WorldAtlas website: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/ethnic-groups-of- colombia.html Influence of Colombia’s African Heritage | Marca País Colombia. (2018, October 11). Retrieved December 4, 2023, from Colombia Country Brand website: https://www.colombia.co/en/colombia-culture/music/lasting-influence-colombias-african- heritage/ Carolina, S., & Saavedra, N. (2016). Arts and Design Studies Wayuu Culture and Traditional Weaving . 39 . Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234686088.pdf Atlas of Humanity. (2023). Retrieved December 4, 2023, from Atlas of Humanity website: https://www.atlasofhumanity.org/wayuu Indigenous Culture in La Guajira, Colombia | Manuel Zapata Olivella. (2015). Retrieved December 4, 2023, from Vanderbilt.edu website: https://mzo.library.vanderbilt.edu/etnografico/culture

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