The politics of ethnographic practice in the Colombian vaupés

Abstract

The current situation in Colombia's Vaupés region involves a complicated mosaic of various change agents, colonists, and indigenous communities. This paper discusses the role of the anthropologist investigating ethnic nationalism in such a setting, asking questions about: (a) the best position to take with respect to helping local communities carve out geographical and cultural space for themselves; (b) how best to help Indian organizations, when requested, understand the costs and benefits of proposed development projects; (c) how best to analyze, write about, and interact with local indigenous organizations and the communities they represent when different factions see things differently; and (d) in such cases, who constitutes a concerned anthropologist's constituency? The general issue of what the role of anthropology should be in such highly politicized situations is also considered.