Stories about Indigenous from August, 2008
Peru: Views Towards the Indigenous Protests
The protests by indigenous groups in Northern Peru are not always understood in other parts of the country. Some bloggers examine attitudes and views by others, who often look down upon the indigenous groups saying that they are protesting for the wrong reasons or incapable of organizing themselves.
Kenya/Tanzania: Technology in the Maasai world
Rebecca writes about the Maasai and technology, noting that the mobile phone has made a significant difference in their community “…probably more than it has in many other communities.”
Venezuela: Yukpa Indians, Chávez and land disputes
Citizen media videos have been uploaded informing of the situation arising in Venezuela between the Yukpa Indians of the Perijá Mountains, landowners and President Chávez. This dispute over land limits is 30 years in the making, when military forces displaced the Indigenous communities of the Yukpa by force and established landowners who have cattle ranches and have been working the lands ever since.
Brazil: The rice war on indigenous land
Brazil's Supreme Court decides today about the future of Raposa Serra do Sol's Indigenous land. Observatório da Imprensa [Press Observatory, pt] have published two texts about the media coverage of the subject. One of them is called The Rice War [pt]: “The press still own us an approach that will...
Yemen: The Wooden Windows of Seiyoun
Yemeni Omar Barsawad takes us to the picturesque village of Seiyoun, where beautifully adorned doors and windows were traditionally made out of wood. Barsawad posts a few pictures to illustrate the art.
Peru: Government Attempts to Halt Protests in the North
The news media has started to provide more coverage of the protests taking place in Northern Peru. The newspaper La República writes that the commission headed up by Environmental Minister Antonio Brack did not accomplish much. More and more indigenous groups are joining the cause and guarding important state petroleum...
Mexico: Attempt to Close Radio Ñomndaa
Notilibertas [es] posts a video about the attempt by federal police to close Radio Ñomndaa, an indigenous radio station in Guerrero, Mexico.
Guyana: Embracing Your Heritage
Guyana Providence Stadium visits The Guyana Heritage Museum, calling it “one of my most enjoyable experience every time I visit the homeland.”
Barbados: Crop-Over Culture
Although the recent Crop Over celebrations were well attended, Barbados Underground thinks that should not be the only criterion for measuring success: “Cultural development and expression are important to the well being of any nation. While the fete element in Crop Over seems to be flourishing, we are concerned that...
India: Chengara land struggle
Sudeep's Diary analyzes the ongoing struggle for land in Chengara, Pathnamtitta district, Kerala by landless Dalits and Adviasis (indigenous people) and informs that “women are being abducted and raped, and men kidnapped in an attempt to kill the struggle”.
Peru: Amazonian Indigenous Groups Protest New Governmental Decrees
The Aguaruna indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon is protesting several governmental decrees that some say would make it easier for the government and oil companies to have access to their lands. By occupying a petroleum station, this group has attracted the support of other indigenous groups in the region and they draw attention to the effects caused by the oil companies.
Trinidad & Tobago: Fruit Fiesta
Trinidadian blogger Lifespan of a Chennette turns the spotlight on some indigenous Caribbean fruit: “You never know when you might need this kind of information.”
Fiji bloggers debate role of police and churches
Fiji bloggers highlight the role of police forces and churches as the country starts discussing the government-initiated plan to revise the Constitution.
Jamaica: Shifting Sands
Guest Blogging at Abeng News Magazine, Long Bench discusses the matter of the sand heist at a beach in Coral Spring, which is earmarked for private development: “It is…our civic, ethical and moral duty to ensure that our institutions are responsive to our collective needs…I do not now, nor will...
Japan: Ainu recognized as indigenous people
On June 6, a couple of months prior to the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to officially recognize the Ainu as an indigenous people. Immediately following the passage of the resolution, a government panel held its first meeting to start working on...
Jamaica, Trinidad: On the “Doubles”
“If a visitor's stomach can handle pepper and curry first thing in the morning, then this is a nice surprise for the palate, and a great way to start the day”: Jamaican Francis Wade posts video of a Trinidadian Doubles vendor.
Guatemala: Indigenous Expressions of Art
On International Day of the World's Indigenous People, there is a celebration of indigenous peoples and how they express themsevles through the visual arts, theater and clothing. These are only some of the examples of artistic creative expressions in Guatemala.
Bloggers react strongly to ‘Building a Better Fiji’
A government-appointed committee in Fiji introduced an 11-point framework to augment the Pacific island nation’s constitution and “rebuild Fiji into a nonracial, culturally vibrant and united, well-governed, truly democratic nation.”
Brazil: On the verge of a civil war over indigenous land
While the world celebrates the rights of indigenous people this Indigenous Peoples Day, dispute over land in Brazil is bringing the country to the verge of a civil war.
Arabeyes: Are Arab-American Men Losers?
“Are Arab-American men really losers?” wonders Asoom, a young Arab-American woman - or are the parents of potential brides out of touch with reality when it comes to selecting a suitable son-in-law?
Guyana, Barbados: New Species Found
New rain forest species have been discovered in Guyana – Living Guyana links to the story, while Barbados Free Press makes tongue-in-cheek parallels between the world's smallest snake (which has been discovered in Barbados) and the country's politicians. Living in Barbados adds: “I'm very happy to play my part in...
