Operational Accounts and Production Details: The 4F Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ Collective (Continuation)
Revamped Perspective:
The Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ folk in Venezuela's Amazonas state have held fast against colonization, clinging fiercely to their language and traditions. Today, they're building communes that weave together Chávez's socialist vision and their ancestral methods of organization, such as communal land ownership and assembly-based governance.
Nestled on the edge of a savanna transitioning into rainforest, the picturesque Parhueña River flows through the vibrant February 4 Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ Commune. The community is a multicultural tapestry, with Huo̧ttö̧ja, Kurripakos, Jivis, Banivas, and a sprinkle of non-Indigenous people calling it home.
Organized into 12 communal councils and boasting a population of around 2,500, Limón de Parhueña is the largest of these communities, home to around 750 people. Nestled within the forest, smaller communities preserve traditions like dwelling in churuatas, accessible only by foot or motorbike. The far-flung Alto Parhuani Communal Council resides six grueling hours away on foot.
In this three-part series, the denizens of February 4 share their insights on organizational practices, agricultural production, and strategies to buck the US blockade. This installment delves into the methods of organization and production within their commune.
The Multicultural Commune
Described as February 4's "founding mother," Sirelyis Rivas spoke passionately about the commune's name. "It's called February 4 because Venezuelan history took a monumental turn on that day in 1992 when Chávez led an uprising," she said. "The Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ people identified with that struggle, as we too have fought against oppressive forces throughout history."
María Solórzano echoed Rivas' sentiments, stating, "The February 4 Commune is a melting pot of cultures, with most residents being Huo̧ttö̧ja, but a sizeable Kurripako community also calls it home, alongside Jivi, Baniva, and non-Indigenous inhabitants like myself."
Based in Limón de Parhueña, Solórzano helps as a middleman between the commune and state institutions. "I respect the autonomy of the community, and in truth, I mostly focus on paperwork," she explained. "I'm an advocate for People's Power, knowing that for communal self-governance to thrive, the power rests with the people, not the institutions."
The Power of Partnership
The commune's multiethnic composition and varied territorial makeup have fostered an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. In terms of production, the commune's common goal is cultivating conuco-based agriculture and manufacturing yuca products like mañoco and casabe. The Kurripako people also produce catara, a tangy yuca-based condiment.
Sirelyis Rivas emphasized the commune's assembly-centered governance. "For us, the commune and assembly practically serve the same purpose," she said. "In the assembly, we exchange ideas on solving problems and assign tasks to reach our objective. We listen and are listened to—a process deeply rooted in our Indigenous culture."
María Solórzano concurred, "The parliamentary methodology we follow ensures each communal council presents up to three projects with tangible benefits for the community. We then engage in robust debate before casting our votes to decide which project will advance."
Small But Mighty: The Limón de Parhueña Story
Nereo López Pérez, a longtime Limón de Parhueña resident, recounted the history of the area. "Before settling here, we Huo̧ttö̧ja ancestors lived along the Raudal Guaremo River," he shared. "In 1970, President Rafael Caldera proposed that our family and others relocate to a new settlement closer to Puerto Ayacucho to gain access to services, schools, and hospitals. Three families, including mine, were the first to move."
López Pérez explained how the community, initially consisting of Huo̧ttö̧ja families, has evolved over time to include additional ethnic groups. "Each Indigenous group maintains its traditions and language, which helps preserve our cultural heritage," he said. He also highlighted the school, which opened in 1972 and welcomed 27 students from diverse backgrounds.
Popular Consultations
Sirelyis Rivas expressed enthusiasm about the commune's participation in popular consultations, a method the government has implemented to address community needs. "Popular consultations have been beneficial for our commune when we were facing stagnation," she said. "Gaining access to tangible resources has resulted in real solutions to our problems."
During the first consultation in April 2024, the commune received corrugated zinc sheets to replace leaky roofs on vulnerable homes. The second consultation resulted in the acquisition of tools necessary for productive agricultural processes, such as yuca grinders, machetes, and rubber boots.
María Solórzano further detailed the process. "Each communal council gathers and submits up to three proposals for projects with discernible impact on the community. These proposals are then discussed and debated before voting, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard."
Embracing Imperfection
Acknowledging the commune's shortcomings, Rivas stated, "The commune can be seen as an administrative entity for accessing resources and solving problems, but we see its potential to be so much more."
López Pérez, on the other hand, underscored the difficulties inherent in communal councils and communes being governed by strict territorial boundaries, a matter that does not align with Indigenous notions of territory. "Article 119 of the Constitution acknowledges that Indigenous communities should prioritize demarcating our territories based on our history and traditions, rather than by prescribed lines," he explained.
López Pérez also stressed the importance of Indigenous communities having more control over resource allocation and administration. "We should be the ones overseeing the resources assigned to us," he advocated. "This would empower us to decide on priorities, such as education, sports, or the environment."
In conclusion, the Amazonas region's Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ communities face unique challenges and must adapt to meet them. Through a combination of grassroots organization, cooperation, and resilience in the face of economic hardships, they continue to thrive while upholding their cultural heritage and striving for self-sufficiency.
- The February 4 Commune, a melting pot of cultures, weaves together the tradition of dwelling in churuatas with the sieve of assembly-based governance, emulating the sieve-making methods practiced in copoazu.
- As politics and general-news take center stage in the Amazonas region, the Limón de Parhueña Commune stands as an example of multicultural collaboration, with generations pooling their diverse resources to produce yuca-based products such as mañoco and casabe.
- In the face of struggles against oppressive forces throughout history, the Huo̧ttö̧ja̧ people have built communes, like the February 4 Commune, that transcend the lines of strict territorial boundaries, seeking to preserve their cultural heritage while trends in politics and general-news unfold upriver.
