Created in 1991. A process of Black People in one of the regions that have been more affected by coloniaity and armed conflict. It has processes of environmental justice (fighting againts big mining and the construction of a damp); women's mouvement, self-defense and non-violence based on ancestral knowledge ("guadia cimarrona": the marron gard created by women and supported by men); comunitarian economy based on food sovereignty; work with children and young people.
| Creation date | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Topics | Extractivism, Feminism, Food sovereignty |
| Context | Urban |
| Typology | Regional Network |
| Languages | Spanish; Castilian |
| Thematics | Radical Democracy |
The municipality of Suárez, located in the department of Cauca (Colombia), has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century with the arrival of the first black inhabitants to the region. During the colonial period, Suárez was influenced by the presence of the Jesuits, who settled in the area and became mine owners and landowners. This religious and business influence left a significant mark on the region.
Over the years, Suárez has been the scene of resistance and re-existence by Afro-descendant communities, who have organized themselves in different instances, such as Community Action Boards and Community Councils, to defend their territory and their rights. In addition, the region has witnessed important organizational and political processes, including the participation of leaders such as Francia Márquez in institutional spaces of broad scope.
The Afro-descendant communities of Suárez have preserved their ancestral knowledge, such as midwifery, sobanderos, rezanderas, curanderos and cantaoras, which has enriched the cultural identity of the region.