“La promoción y la defensa de la resistencia territorial de las comunidades negras en el Chocó” The historicism of a counter-hegemonic project. Miriam Vreman 880817910050 Wageningen University and Research Centre Rural Development Sociology Master Thesis RDS-80433 Supervisor: Dr. Ir. Monique Nuijten 2nd supervisor: Dr. Ir. Pieter de Vries September 2013 ‘pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will’ (Romain Rolland paraphrased in Crehan, 2002: 26) Image front page: The riverside in Napípi, Medio Atrato, Chocó, Colombia (photo: author) ii | P a g e Abstract This thesis describes why and how the Claretian Missionaries have been engaged in a process of rural Afro-Colombian community organisation, visibilisation and empowerment in the Colombian Atrato- Region since the 1980s. Furthermore it describes how this process has been influenced by the context of structural violence in which it operated. This thesis analyses: the socio-political vision of these missionaries; the actions that this vision generated; their interaction with the rural communities; the wider context of socio-political marginalisation; the neoliberal interests in the lands upon which these communities were living; and the escalation of internal conflict in the region. The thesis is based on an ethnographic study in which church representatives, community leaders, and organisational representatives that had been historically involved in this process have been interviewed. The study was supported further by participation in various workshops and events, and by the analysis of local organisational and state documents. I use a Gramsci-inspired analysis in which his method of ‘historicism’ forms the basis for the analysis of the interaction between different structural forces and their political responses in this particular ‘place’ (the Atrato-Region). This thesis argues that the Claretians were able to promote an alternative socio-political vision –a ‘Counter Hegemonic Project’- that found resonance with the community members. This resulted in the institutional recognition of Afro-Colombian minority rights and the right to collective territories. This institutionalisation has conditioned the scope and content upon which the Afro-Colombian community leaders were able to exercise their authority and rights. The Colombian State had been able to limit the scope and content of the rights that could been claimed and further continued the consolidation of neoliberal interests by using legal and illegal mechanisms. This institutionalisation had been a crucial tool as it gave the rural Afro-Colombians a form of legal recognition that enabled them to use their political authority at different spatial scales in order to create international support for their political cause. Consequently, they are able to put pressure on the hegemonic state project. Key words: Gramsci, Neoliberalism, Internal Conflict, Counter-Hegemony, Politics, Afro-Colombian rights. iii | P a g e Resumen (castellano) Esta tesis describe cómo y por qué los misioneros claretianos han participado en un proceso de organización, visibilización y capaticación de la comunidad afrocolombiana rural en la región del Atrato en Colombia desde la década de 1980. Además, esta tesis describe cómo este proceso ha sido influenciado por el contexto de la violencia estructural en el que operaba. Este tesis analisa: la visión socio-política de estos misioneros; las acciones que esta visión genera; su interacción con las comunidades rurales; el contexto general de la marginación socio- político; los intereses neoliberales en las tierras en las que esas comunidades vivían; y la intensificación de los conflictos internos en la región. La tesis se basa en un estudio etnográfico en el que se ha entrevistado a representantes de la iglesia, líderes comunitarios y representantes de organizaciones que habían sido involucradas históricamente en este proceso. El estudio fue apoyado por la participación en diversos talleres y eventos, y mediante el análisis de documentos de las organizaciónes locales y del estado. Yo uso un análisis inspirado en Gramsci en el que su método de 'historicismo' [historicism] constituye la base para el análisis de la interacción entre las diferentes fuerzas estructurales y sus respuestas políticas en este ‘lugar’ concreto (la región del Atrato). Esta tesis sostiene que los Claretianos fueron capaces de promover una visión socio-político alternativa –‘un proyecto de contra hegemonia’ [a counter-hegemonic project]- que encontró resonancia con los miembros de la comunidad. Esto resultó en el reconocimiento institucional de los derechos de las minorías afrocolombianas y el derecho a los territorios colectivos. Esta institucionalización ha condicionado el alcance y el contenido en el que los líderes de las comunidades afrocolombianas pudieron ejercer su autoridad y sus derechos. El estado colombiano ha sido capaz de limitar el alcance y el contenido de los derechos que pudieran sido reclamados y más continuó de la consolidación de los intereses neoliberales mediante el uso de mecanismos legales e ilegales. Esta institucionalización había sido una herramienta fundamental, ya que dio los afrocolombianos rurales una forma de reconocimiento legal que les permitía utilizar su autoridad política a diferentes escalas espaciales con el fin de crear apoyo internacional para su causa política. Por lo tanto, son capaces de ejercer presión sobre el proyecto hegemónico del estado. Palabras Clave: Gramsci, Neoliberalismo, Conflicto Interno, Contra-Hegemonia, Políticas, Derechos de los afro- colombianos. iv | P a g e Acknowledgements Writing of this thesis has been a process of many ups and downs, as any MSc-student will tell you when he or she starts to reflect on the process of writing a piece of work that involves so much time, thought, dedication, concentration, passion, strength and (not to forget) coffee. For me this process has lasted more than a year; and I can honestly state that I am glad that I am able to present you the final version of this MSc-thesis. This year has been a very special one, as my time in Colombia has really been an illuminating period for which I am still grateful every day. It has been a year full of new experiences: a new language, first introduction with the country of some of my best friends, new friends, many new insights – both personally and professionally, and new stories that I have tried to document in this thesis as well as I could in order to tell them to everyone that is interested to hear them. There are a couple of people that I really need to thank for their help, support and thoughts, as without these people you wouldn’t have been holding this piece of paper in your hands. At first, I want to thank Pieter de Vries and Jesús Alfonso Flórez López as they provided me with the opportunity to go to Colombia in order to conduct my field work in one of the most unique, special, interesting and humid places I have ever been. I especially want to thank Jesús for the warm welcome he gave me in Colombia, and his help to find me the most kind people to stay with during my time in Medellín and Quibdó. I want to thank Silvia, Elisa, Alicia and Giovanni for the warm welcome in their home in Medellín, their patience with my limited level of Spanish and the many nice evenings I spend with these wonderful people. “Muchas gracías por la bienvenida tán linda en sus casa, no sé cómo habría podido sobrevivir mis primeras palabras en Español sin sus paciencia, cordialidad y ayuda”. I want to thank Beatríz Gonzales without whom I would not have been able to speak a single word in Spanish: her patience, persistence and insight in how to teach this Dutch girl Spanish in only seven weeks has been as crucial for thesis as my whole educational background. At the same time, as a friend, she has been wonderful and warm company. I want to thank Yuly Palacíos for her kindness in taking me into her home in Quibdó and her continuous efforts look after me: “Yuly, muchísimas gracias por la hospitalidad y la ayuda, por la introducción con la rumba chocoana, el ron y aguardiente, por tu paciencia con una mujer que no siempre supo cómo hacer las cosas, por todo que hiciste para ayudarme. Fué una gestión maravillosa”. Furthermore, I want to thank my parcera Luisa without whom the Chocó would not have been the same. As a friend, intellectual, anthropologist and parcera she has had the most important influence on my time in Quibdó, both personally as professionally, and became a true friend for life. “Luchis, muchas gracias por todo: tu ayuda, tu paciencia, las sonrisas, las lágrimas, las cervezas, los paseos, la rumba y la cantidad de horas que conversamos sobre cualquier cosa. Me alegra haber hecho una amiga como tú”. Back in the Netherlands I sincerely want to thank all those people that have supported me in the process of finalising this thesis: ‘the bieb luitjes’ that made my time in the library quite pleasant, and all the friends that have continuously supported me in finding the common thread within the story I wanted to be written. I want to thank my parents and sister to continue to support me in following my passions despite the fact that they might have caused some sleepless nights. I want to thank Sarah for help with an overall grammar and spelling check. I want to thank my supervisor Monique for her support, feedback, trust and flexibility during the whole process of writing my thesis. Last but not least, I want to thank all my informants for the sharing of their experiences. I am grateful to be able