EL SALVADOR: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: DYING CULTURE MEETING

Описание: (31 Jul 1999) Spanish/Nat

Hundreds of representatives of indigenous groups from around the world met in El Salvador this week.

Their aim was to increase communication between the different indigenous groups to preserve their dying cultures.

In the town of Nahuizalco, Canadian Inuits rubbed shoulders with the Moluca people from Indonesia - most of the Central American Indian groups were also represented.

The choice of Nahuizalco for the gathering of indigenous groups was a significant one.

The town, 80 kilometres east of the capital San Salvador, is known for its strong indigenous heritage.

Its inhabitants welcomed hundreds of indigenous representatives from all over Central America who were attending the conference.

The summit was meant to open the lines of communication between the different groups.

The mayor Jose Estrada opened the conference with a greeting on behalf of the people of his fellow citizens.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Welcome. Nationwide we're known for being a bit of a wizard, because we are descendents of the brothers of Zalco. We are here to serve you."
SUPER CAPTION: Jose Estrada, Mayor of Nahuizalco

The groups performed traditional dances and displayed their native costumes.

Representatives from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Panama and others from as far away as Canada, Indonesia and Peru converged on the site.

Their hope is that by exchanging ideas they can preserve their cultures and lobby their respective governments from a position of strength.

They also hope that in this way they will be able to gain greater recognition and also loans and technical assistance.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"This is going to help us make ourselves known. We want everybody in El Salvador that there are indigenous groups in the country and we hope the government will acknowledge us and take us into account"
SUPER CAPTION: Fidel Flores, President of the National Association of Salvadorean Indigenous People

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"The government has not signed or agreed anything with the indigenous people. The government does not acknowledge us."

SUPER CAPTION: Adriana Gonzalez, representative of Cuna Indians from Panama
Despite their pride in their identity, the indigenous leaders face an uphill battle.
In most of Central America, many of the group's unique cultures have been eroded by intermarriage, deliberate government policies of marginalisation, poverty, and lack of political organisation.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We should think about that historic debt we have with indigenous people and see what can be done so that they have the same access to education, health and other advantages and services that the other citizens have."
SUPER CAPTION: Jorge Dandler, expert on indigenous groups

The event ended with a ceremonial drinking of a sugar cane based drink, 'la chicha', which also includes vinegar and fermented fruits.

It is one of the few indigenous traditions that have been popularized in El Salvador, a country whose own groups, the Lencas and Nahuas, are struggling to survive.

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