Contemporary Indigenous Movements in Latin America

by Erick D. Langer, Elana Muñoz (Editor)

Overview

The efforts of Indians in Latin America have gained momentum and garnered increasing attention in the last decade as they claim rights to their land and demand full participation in the political process. This issue is of rising importance as ecological concerns and autochtonous movements gain a foothold in Latin America, transforming the political landscape into one in which multiethnic democracies hold sway. In some cases, these movements have led to violent outbursts that severely affected some nations, such as the 1992 and 1994 Indian uprisings in Ecuador. In most cases, however, grassroots efforts have realized success without bloodshed. An Aymara Indian, head of an indigenous-rights political party, became Vice President of Bolivia. Brazilian lands are being set aside for indigenous groups not as traditional reservations where the government attempts to 'civilize' the hunters and gatherers, but where the government serves only to keep loggers, gold miners, and other interlopers out of tribal lands. Contemporary Indigenous Movements in Latin America is a collection of essays compiled by Professor Erick D. Langer that brings together-for the first time-contributions on indigenous movements throughout Latin America from all regions. Focusing on the 1990s, Professor Langer illustrates the range and increasing significance of the Indian movements in Latin America. The volume addresses the ways in which Indians have confronted the political, social, and economic problems they face today, and shows the diversity of the movements, both in lowlands and in highlands, tribal peoples, and peasants. The book presents an analytical overview of these movements, as well as a vision of how and why they have become so important in the late twentieth century. Contemporary Indigenous Movements in Latin America is important for those interested in Latin American studies, including Latin American civilization, Latin American anthropology, contemporary issues in Latin America, and ethnic studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742575066
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/2003
Series:	Jaguar Books on Latin America
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	220
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Erick D. Langer is professor of history in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Elena Mu-oz works for the International Rescue Committee in New York City and is a student at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 I In the Defense of Land
Chapter 3 Neither Warriors nor Victims: The Wauja Peacefully Organize to Defend Their Land
Chapter 4 Ethnodevelopment and Democratic Consolidation in Chile: The Mapuche Question
Chapter 5 II Indigenous Political Participation
Chapter 6 Agrarian Protest and the Indian Movement in the Ecuadorian Highlands
Chapter 7 Indians and National Salvation: Placing Ecuador's Indigenous Coup of January 2000 in Historical Perspective
Chapter 8 The Emergence of Political Organizations among the Guaraní Indians of Bolivia and Argentina: A Comparative Perspective
Chapter 9 Consciousness and Contradiction: Indigenous Peoples and Paraguay's Transition to Democracy
Chapter 10 III Indians and Guerrillas
Chapter 11 Villagers at Arms: War and Counterrevolution in the Central-South Andes
Chapter 12 Pan-Maya Activism in Guatemala
Chapter 13 IV Indigenous Leaders Speak Out
Chapter 14 Marta Silva Vito Guaraní (Brazil)
Chapter 15 Davi Kopenawa Yanomami (Brazil)
Chapter 16 Luis Macas (Ecuador)
Chapter 17 Nina Pacari (Ecuador)
Chapter 18 Felipe Quispe Huanca (Bolivia)
Chapter 19 R. Marhikewun (Chile)
Chapter 20 Slected Bibliography
Chapter 21 Internet Sources

Editorial Reviews

This book is sure to attract a readership well beyond those interested in this topic
—University of Pittsburgh

Patrick C. Wilson

Highly recommended.
—Truman State University

Marc Becker

The articles [in this work] share a consistent thread that renders the collection not only remarkably coherent for an edited collection of this breadth, but also an enjoyable and informative read. Overall, Langer and Muñoz have presented a volume that deserves to be read by every researcher who is serious about contemporary indigenous movement sin the Latin American region.

Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism