INDIGENOUS & AFRO-DESCENDANT PEOPLES

Nearly 1/3 of Nicaragua’s national territory is legally titled to Indigenous/Afro-descendant communities

The two sides of the Nicaraguan nation followed different courses of development. The western (Pacific) side was a traditional Spanish colony with extensive mixing of races (mestizaje), becoming an independent nation in 1821. Various parts of the eastern (Caribbean) side of the country were held by the British, settled by escaped enslaved Africans, or remained primarily Indigenous. By the mid-20th century under the Somoza dictatorship, the peoples of the Caribbean Coast lived in systematic exclusion and extreme poverty. As early as 1969, the Historic Program of the Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN) included restitution of rights for the inhabitants of what was then called the Atlantic Coast.

During the first stage of the Sandinista Revolution (1979-1990), the groundbreaking 1987 constitution recognized Nicaragua as a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and pluri-national republic, officially embracing the country’s Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. Later that year an extensive consultation process led to Autonomy (within national unity) for the eastern part of the country. Autonomy has been flourishing since the return of Sandinista government in 2007.

The Caribbean Coast is divided into the North and South Autonomous Regions which elect their own governing bodies, as well as officials to represent their peoples before the national government. Since 2007 the central government has demarcated 25 ancestral areas and given non-transferable legal title for them to 319 communities benefitting 227,185 people. These communal lands amount to 37,252.91 square kilometers—31.4% of Nicaragua’s national territory. These communities enjoy an extensive highway system; intercultural medicine in which traditional healers practice side-by-side with western physicians in modern facilities; intercultural education with resources invested in preserving Indigenous languages; modern, new universities; and electricity in 99.41% of homes.

Learn more about Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions with our Virtual Course and Film Festival!

RECORDINGS OF CLASSES 2023 (ENGLISH):

Session 1, October 19: Rights of Indigenous and Afro-descendant Peoples

Session 2, October 28: Caribbean Coast History

Session 3, November 2: North Caribbean Region

Session 4, November 9: South Caribbean Region

BACKGROUND READING:

1.       A Brief History of Nicaragua by the ATC

2.      Uniting a Country and its People: Thirty-Two Years of Autonomy on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast, in the e-book: The Revolution Won’t be Stopped

3.       The e-book: Neocolonial Lies, Autonomous Reality.   (particularly the introduction and some of the interviews).

4.       Jonah Blaustein, “Report Back from Nicaragua Caribbean Coast Delegation,” June 2023.

 FILM VESTIVAL

“RAMA” About the Rama People of the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region striving to preserve their language and culture. In Rama, Creole English, and Spanish.

“Las mujeres del Wangki” (2017) About the Miskitu and Mayangna women along the Coco River of the northern border. In Miskitu and Spanish with Spanish subtitles.

“Pikineras” (2012) shows the life and work of the women “pikineras” who pick out lobster harvested by divers, to sell. In Miskito and Spanish with Spanish subtitles.

“Lubaraun” about the journey of an older Garífuna man. In Creole, Spanish, and Garífuna, with English subtitles.

“The Black Creoles” centers on the history and culture of the creole community on the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast. English subtitles.  

VIRTUAL COURSE AND FILM FESTIVAL

THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS AND AFRO-DESCENDANT PEOPLES ON NICARAGUA’S CARIBBEAN COAST 

RECORDINGS OF CLASSES 2023 (ENGLISH):

Session 1, October 19: Rights of Indigenous and Afrodescendant Peoples 

Session 2, October 28: Caribbean Coast History

Session 3, November 2: North Caribbean Region 

Session 4, November 9: South Caribbean Region 

BACKGROUND READING: 

1.  A Brief History of Nicaragua by the ATC 

2. Uniting a Country and its People: Thirty-Two Years of Autonomy on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast, in the e-book: The Revolution Won’t be Stopped 

3. The e-book: Neocolonial Lies, Autonomous Reality.   (particularly the introduction and some of the interviews).

4. Jonah Blaustein, “Report Back from Nicaragua Caribbean Coast Delegation,” June 2023. 

 VIDEOS

“RAMA” (About the Rama People of the South Caribbean Coast Autónomous Region.) This is the group with the smallest population and the largest territory. They discuss efforts to preserve their language and culture. In Rama, Creole English, and Spanish. 

“Las mujeres del Wangki” (2017) is about the Miskitu and Mayangna women who live on the banks of the Coco (Wangki) River on Nicaragua’s northern border. They have historically suffered triple violence because they are Indigenous, poor, and female. In Miskitu and Spanish with Spanish subtitles. 

“Pikineras” (2012) is a documentary filmed along the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua and Honduras. It shows the life and work of the women “pikineras” who pick out lobster harvested by divers, and sell it. In Miskito and Spanish with Spanish subtitles. 

“Lubaraun” was filmed on the Nicaraguan and Honduran Caribbean coast, about the return of an older man from the Nicaraguan town of Orinoco (South Caribbean) to the land of his ancestors in Honduras, revealing the cosmovision of the Garífuna People. In Creole, Spanish, and Garífuna. With English subtitles. 

“The Black Creoles” centers on the history and culture of the creole community on the Nicaragua Caribbean Coast. English subtitles.