Los Arhuacos en defensa de su identidad y autonomía: Resistencia y sincretismo

Abstract

After a short survey of the first encounters of the Arhuacos with Christianity the study examines the reports of the Capuchin friars who started their intensive missionary work in 1916. The special focus is on the intercultural relations, which are reflected in them. During a period of more than 60 years the interest of the Colombian government of the time and the then prevailing interpretation of faith among the missionaries lead to strained relations especially with the religious authorities of the Arhuacos. After the mission was closed in 1982 the community of the Arhuacos seems to be divided. Apart from those who follow their tradition there are baptized Catholics from the school of the Capuchin friars and Protestant Christians from the Summerschool of Linguistics, which was closed down as well. The religious authorities of the Arhuacos try to avoid the impending disintegration of their culture: In their own documents they remember their history of the origin of the world and its leading foundations and invite the readers to become aware of their spiritual dimension of life.