Mending Identity: The Revitalization Process of the Muisca of Suba

Authors

Paola A. Sanchez Castaneda, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

Religious Studies

First Advisor's Name

Ana Maria Bidegain

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Juliet S. Erazo

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Albert Kafui Wuaku

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Ritual, Re-indigenization, Place, Ethnogenesis, Muisca, Urban Indigenous, Colombia.

Date of Defense

3-26-2018

Abstract

For over five centuries, the Muiscas have faced direct colonial aggression against their traditional belief systems and sacred practices that have been historically demonized and driven to the brink of extinction. Despite such circumstances, however, the Muisca community has thrived to the present day, and since the turn of the twentieth century has begun to undergo a process of re-identification as an indigenous community in an attempt to revitalize their ethnic identity and practices. These efforts of re-indigenization have challenged their historically coerced identities, actively engaging in returning to traditional practices and beliefs, demand cultural and spiritual liberties, and regain their proper rights to sacred lands, which have also been devastated for centuries. Based on an ethnographic study conducted in Colombia, this thesis examines how rituals in sacred places are of central importance to this community within the re-indigenization process that is currently underway in the Muisca community.

Identifier

FIDC006539

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Sanchez Castaneda, Paola A., "Mending Identity: The Revitalization Process of the Muisca of Suba" (2018). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3672.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3672