Indigenous Movements, Self-Representation, and the State in Latin America

By Kay B. Warren

Book Overview

Throughout Latin America, indigenous peoples are responding to state violence and pro-democracy social movements by asserting their rights to a greater measure of cultural autonomy and self-determination. This volume's rich case studies of movements in Colombia, Guatemala, and Brazil weigh the degree of success achieved by indigenous leaders in influencing national agendas when governments display highly ambivalent attitudes about strengthening ethnic diversity.

The contributors to this volume are leading anthropologists and indigenous activists from the United States and Latin America. They address the double binds of indigenous organizing and "working within the system" as well as the flexibility of political tactics used to achieve cultural goals outside the scope of state politics. The contributors answer questions about who speaks for indigenous communities, how indigenous movements relate to the popular left, and how conflicts between the national indigenous leadership and local communities play out in specific cultural and political contexts. The volume sheds new light on the realities of asymmetrical power relations and on the ways in which indigenous communities and their representatives employ Western constructions of subjectivity, alterity, and authentic versus counterfeit identity, as well as how they manipulate bureaucratic structures, international organizations, and the mass media to advance goals that involve distinctive visions of an indigenous future.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292791410
• ISBN13: 9780292791411
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Indigenous Movements

As a graduate studuent who has conducted ethnographic fieldwork in Guatemala, I found this book to very insightful. In my view, Kay Warren does a commendable job of addressing and discussing the politics of the Pan-Maya movement and its actions and arguments since the signing of the peace accords. Furthermore, she describes the role of the foreign anthropologist in the Maya culture and the critiques given by Pan-Maya activists towards the discipline of anthropology. For example, Warren relates the statements of the well-known Pan-Mayanist, Sam Colop (82). Warren concludes that the underlying question is; "What are you doing in Guatemala to benefit the Maya people?" This is particularly relevant to any social scientist, let alone those working in Guatemala.Of particular interest is Warren's discussion on 'transforming selves'; the belief that certain individuals possess the capacity to physically transform themselves into an animal. She provides an excellent argument on why this belief resurfaced during the civil war, a period of extreme distrust. The bibliography is extensive and Warren's knowledge of critical theory, anthropology, history, Guatemalan (and, one might add, Peruvian) ethnography and political studies is considerable. This book could serve as a starting point for anyone interested in the current situation in Guatemala.The only shortcoming I found is that the chapters do not flow smoothly. This is most likely due to the fact that some of the book was derived from previously written articles.Nevertheless, I found it to be an enjoyable read and strongly recommend it to anyone interested in Guatemala and the Maya culture.