Unmasking the Struggle: Emberá Dobida in Colombia - A Fight for Survival
Struggle of the Emberá People: Indigenous Group Facing Extinction in Colombia - Struggling Indigenous Emberá Community Faces Survival Issues in Colombia Portrayed in Photographic Exhibition
The Emberá Dobida, an indigenous tribe rooted in Colombia, have long dwelt in the Bojayá River region. Escaping conflict with Colombian militias and yearning for security and prospects, many Emberá have left their homeland for Bogotá, where they face discrimination and exclusion, dwelling in precarious and unsafe conditions.
Suicide rates among the Emberá have dramatically increased: from 15 cases between 2015 and 2020 to somewhere between 60-67 suicides and over 400 suicide attempts by 2024.
"Jaide": Santiago Mesa's Photo Project Spotlights Emberá Women
Photographer Santiago Mesa's "Jaide" project focuses on the lives of Emberá women grappling with the crisis, hoping to generate understanding and empathy for their plight. It earned Mesa the coveted World Press Photo Award 2025 in the South America region's Stories category.
Established in 1955, the World Press Photo Award is a prestigious non-profit Dutch foundation that annually grants the World Press Photo Award to thousands of photojournalists. Award-winning photos, both captivating and thought-provoking, are showcased across the globe.
Resources for Help and Support
In need of assistance? Find help through the anonymous, 24/7 telephone counseling service available at (0800) 1110111 and (0800) 1110222. You can also access email and chat counseling. A list of Support Services is available on the German Society for Suicide Prevention website.
Over 59,000 photos, submitted by more than 3700 photographers from 141 countries, were entered into this year's competition. Winners from the six world regions, in the Single Image, Story, and Long-Term Project categories, have been announced.
From the 42 winning photos, an international jury will select the World Press Photo of the Year and two runners-up. The World Press Photo of the Year 2025 winner and finalists will be revealed on April 17, 2025, with all winners receiving a €1000 cash prize, a physical award, and an exhibition of their images in World Press Photo shows. The World Press Photo of the Year winner, in addition, receives €10,000, plus cameras and lenses.
More Award-Winning Images
- World Press Photo Award
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Relevant Context
Though there is no information about winning projects titled "Jaide" or related to the Emberá community in Colombia from the World Press Photo Award 2025 search results, it's important to understand that the World Press Photo Awards honor remarkable photojournalism worldwide by highlighting stories of social, environmental, and historical significance. Often featuring projects that reveal the lives, struggles, and triumphs of diverse communities, the awards shed light on stories that may be underrepresented in mainstream media.
One such example is Tatsiana Chypsanava's documentation of New Zealand's Ngāi Tūhoe tribe, which offers a counterpoint to negative media narratives by portraying everyday life, hope, and community resilience within the Tūhoe people.
If you're curious about the Emberá community or the "Jaide" project, it might be beneficial to consult official World Press Photo Award announcements or reputable photography news outlets for updates.
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive concerning the World Press Photo Award 2025, which honors remarkable photojournalism, such as Santiago Mesa's "Jaide" project focusing on Emberá women in Colombia.
- In Bogotá, where many Emberá Dobida have faced discrimination and exclusion, photojournalists like Mesa strive to generate understanding and prevention for their plight, as demonstrated by his award-winning project, "Jaide," which focuses on Emberá women.
- If further information about the Emberá community, the "Jaide" project, or winning projects related to indigenous tribes in Colombia is sought, official World Press Photo Award announcements or reputable photography news outlets may provide valuable updates.
