Programa, Córdoba, Montería 10

Abstract

In this section of Voces y Regiones, a Zenú Indigenous leader discusses the issue of land distribution based on colonial land titles, calling on current authorities to recognize and legitimize these ancestral territorial rights. He emphasizes the importance of Indigenous peoples to the region—not only as cultural stewards but also as key actors in territorial protection and sustainable development. The leader explains that the Zenú people reside in the department of Córdoba and describes their main livelihoods, which are deeply rooted in traditional agriculture and artisanal crafts. These longstanding practices have not only sustained them economically but have also helped preserve their cultural identity and ancestral customs. Through his testimony, the leader reaffirms the urgent need to recognize Indigenous territorial rights, value their contributions to the local economy, and acknowledge their crucial role in protecting the cultural and environmental heritage of the region.