The photographic series Ambachacke Embera won a special mention in the South American Contest "FotoMigration: Migration through Other Lenses", organized by the IOM Regional Office for South America. Its author is Jairo Nicolás Bernal Usama.  

Ambachacke Embera

The Borocuara Ocampo, an Embera Chamí indigenous family, arrived in Bogota in 2009, displaced from their territory in the municipality of Pueblo Rico, department of Risaralda, in Colombia. During their stay in the capital, until November 2021, through weaving, dancing, music and traditional singing, they resisted the homogenization typical of the city and its dynamics. They never gave up the Embera language, which represents survival and identity: their language —constructed and reproduced orally—expresses the thoughts, history and traditions of the Borocuara Ocampo. 

Bogota, Colombia, April 21st, 2021. Eloyse is a woman from ranges, rivers and mountains.
Bogota, Colombia, Apinril 21st, 2021. Eloyse is pating figures with genipap on Luz Aleida’s face. The genipap fruit produces a blackish dye that has been used for skin ornamentation since pre-Hispanic times.
Bogota, Colombia, April 21st, 2021. Embera indigenous women paint their faces with genipap and wear their most beautiful dresses only on special occasions.
Bogota, Colombia, April 21st, 2021. For the Embera Chamí people, traditional music and songs are strongly linked to spiritual life; sound elements play an essential role in their territory.
Bogota, Colombia, April 21st, 2021. From left to right: Eloyse, Elena, Luz Aleida, María Elvira and Leidy are getting ready to perform an Embera dance.
Bogota, Colombia, March 11th, 2020. Embera Chamí indigenous women convey their thoughts and emotions by means of weaving with chaquira.
Bogota, Colombia, November 6th, 2018. Jairo and Eloyse are strolling through the Bolívar Square. Jairo is carrying a backpack with the colours of the jaguar and Eloyse, a baton.

Download here the complete book "Migration through Other Lenses" which includes this photographic series and other winners of the South American FotoMigration Contest.

SDG 1 - No Poverty
SDG 5 - Gender Equality
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
 

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