Enduring Life Under Siege in an Indigenous Settlement: The 4F Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ Collective (Segment III)
Free-roaming, blunt truth-teller here. Let's chat about the Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ folks in Amazonas state, Venezuela, who keep their traditions alive despite attempts at colonization. They've set up communes, drawing inspiration from both Hugo Chávez's socialist vision and their ancient communal practices.
One of these communes, the February 4 Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ Commune, thrives on the edge of a sprawling savanna with the Parhueña River running through it. It's a melting pot of Huo̧ttö̧ja, Kurripakos, Jivis, Banivas, and non-Indigenous people, organized into 12 communal councils with approximately 2500 residents. The largest cluster resides in Limón de Parhueña, while smaller pockets hide deep within the woods, preserving age-old customs like living in thatched buildings called churuatas.
In this series, we're giving voice to the communards who've built this remarkable commune. The first installment delved into their history and customs, while the second focused on organization and production methods within the commune. Now, we're diving into some real issues they face and the way their colonial forefather, Chávez, impacts their lives.
Feeling the Squeeze from the US Blockade
The US blockade doesn't bypass Amazonas; it's a brutal reality for every Venuezelean. However, Indigenous communities in rural areas have managed to weather the storm due to their resilient farming techniques.
"US imperialism hates the Bolivarian Process," says Sirelyis Rivas, "because it symbolizes sovereignty and doesn't align with their realm of influence." While the blockade hurts, these communities have food resources like mañoco (yuca flour) and casabe (yuca flatbread), as well as manaca, a nutritious tropical fruit. They can even hunt a danta (tapir) when protein levels dip.
The biggest hassle during the crisis was transportation given the gas shortages. "To sell our bread, we have to reach the Indigenous market in Puerto Ayacucho," explains Sirelyis. However, the people here don't roll over—if necessary, they hoof it to town or hoof it back to sell casabe and trade for basics like cooking oil and soap.
Nereo López Pérez acknowledges that the blockade put a strain on their production. But their strength lies in their self-reliance. They grow what they need, using the land wisely, and they have the necessary tools to continue production, even if they become worn out.
Another challenge brought about by the blockade was the shortage of fuel, which made schlepping casabe to market a pain. But the resourcefulness born of adversity never fails: when times were tough, the residents traded their feet for fuel-guzzling transport, walking long distances to sell and buy whatever they needed.
Traditional Medicine and the Blockade
Despite the reach of the blockade, these communities have a bond with Mother Nature that goes back millennia. They understand that the land provides cures, and that knowledge has proven useful as they've struggled to find conventional medicines.
Nereo López Pérez shares a harrowing story of his brushes with malaria. In the heat of the crisis, he consulted a Council of Elders meeting and discovered a possible cure growing in the wild. He tracked down the plant, prepared it, and felt better soon after.
The scarcity of conventional medicine led them to lean even more heavily on their ancestral wisdom, breathing new life into practices that would have otherwise faded away. They're now starting a movement to keep a small apothecary in every home, preserving their herbal knowledge for future generations.
Living Through a Revolution
The Bolivarian Process ushered in a brand-new era for Indigenous peoples in Venezuela. Hugo Chávez recognized the importance of their rights, customs, and languages, giving voice to a people who had long been silenced.
Today, they stand as a testament to their ancestors' strength and wisdom. After enduring invasions from hundreds of colonizers, they're still here. Their ongoing gratitude for Chávez is evident in their actions, and they remain committed to keeping the spirit of revolution alive.
- Amidst the US blockade, indigenous communities in the Amazonas state, such as the residents of the February 4 Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ Commune, have adapted by relying on traditional practices and resources like mañoco, casabe, and manaca, as well as hunting for protein sources like danta.
- The residents of this commune are resilient in the face of hardships due to the gas shortage during the crisis, walking long distances to sell their goods and buy necessary items like cooking oil and soap.
- In the realm of healthcare, the indigenous community relies on traditional medicine and remedies, emphasizing their deep bond with Mother Nature. They have survived attempts at colonization and are committed to preserving their ancestral knowledge by establishing home apothecaries that share herbal healing techniques.
