The Pume People's Ongoing Community: A Resilient Custom in Venezuelan Culture
Revamped Revolutionary Tale: Indigenous Life in the Heart of Apure
Fermenting roots deep in the rich soil of Apure, the indigenous Pumé community of Coporo Indígena continues a storied tradition, intertwined with communal land and self-governance. Located in the secluded wilds outside Biruaca, this humble hamlet is an island of culture, defying the encroaching tide of modernity. With its small but steadfast populace, Coporo Indígena is officially registered as a communal council due to its size - yet, this does not diminish the commune's essence that pulsates within the community's core.
From the turbulent history of countless indigenous groups, forcibly displaced and lost in the shadows of structural violence, Coporo Indígena's narrative mirrors a profound struggle. Although the Bolivarian Revolution has spurred progressive reforms and programs sympathetic to Pumé and other indigenous peoples in Venezuela, the vestiges of injustice remain unresolved.
Estranged from their ancestral lands, the current residents of Coporo Indígena, once hailing from San José de Capanaparo, were driven from their homes in 1980. Mario García, the community's cacique, established roots in the territory, constructing homes, wells, and tilling 30 acres of land for corn, beans, and diverse medicinal gardens.
Fast-forward to the present, and the community encompasses 50 families, who fiercely uphold their language and traditions. In the ensuing testimonies, three spokespersons delve into the community's organization, economy, and the impact of the US blockade on their daily lives.
The Pumé Settlement's Past and Present
Mario García speaks with an unwavering pride, his eyes gleaming with a glint of history:
"We Pumé have always called this land our home - Apure was our home long before the foreign invaders came to claim it, stealing our land, our wealth, and attempting to wipe away our culture and cosmovision. The colonial system sought to drain the lifeblood from us, but we have persisted in nurturing the very foundations of our culture: our spiritual beliefs, communal organization, crafts, and above all, our language. Born in San José de Capanaparo, I, like every other resident of Coporo Indígena, share its heritage."
A Communal Union
Mario continues, delving into the Pumé way of life and the commune's significance:
"Our communal integration, where the land belongs to all who till it, is not a new concept to us. In Coporo Indígena, we function as a communal council because we are small, but our shared land knows no fences, and neither does our community spirit. There's a fine balance between the collective and the individual - one that prohibits both selfish abandon and complacency."
Determined to quash individual land ownership, the National Land Institute once sought to divide the land among the families residing in Coporo Indígena. However, the Pumé community disputed this idea, prevailing to maintain a unified territory.
"Our ancestors have lived communally for generations," Mario elaborates. "We gather, discuss our problems, and find solutions together. This unified approach is more than just philosophical ideology; it breaths life into the cornerstones of our culture, enabling us to endure the challenges of modernity while preserving the essence of our heritage."
The Double-Edged Sword of Modernity
Tireless in their pursuit of harmony with nature, the Pumé remain steadfast in embracing modern conveniences alongside their ancestral practices. Gladys García, wife of Mario, explains:
"In our society, we all share the little that we have, caring for the community and the land. As neighbors, we help each other in times of need. When our brethren from San José de Capanaparo came to our doorstep in January, we welcomed them without hesitation, offering them shelter, water, and food."
An Agricultural Symphony
Among the economic pillars of Coporo Indígena stands agriculture. As in San José de Capanaparo, hunting, fishing, and craftsmanship supplement their livelihoods. The community's hybrid approach to farming draws upon both ancestral wisdom and modern techniques.
In coping with the newcomers from San José de Capanaparo, the community faces an urgent challenge: water scarcity. With limited natural resources and insufficient infrastructure, they must implement initiative and ingenuity.
"We require water pumps to bolster our production and ease the burden on our current water sources," Mario explains. "With the support of local authorities, we aim to alleviate our water woes and bolster our crop yields."
Crafting a Cultural Legacy
A vital part of the Pumé identity lies in their rich tradition of artisanal crafts. The family of Daniel García, who still resides in San José de Capanaparo, continues this legacy:
"In Capanaparo, we make various utensils from calabash - plates, spoons, colanders, hats, slings, and toys. The craftsmanship is passed down through generations, and we cherish these skills."
Daniel states the desperate need to replenish their supplies of 'cogollo de macanilla', a bush similar to the coconut palm, native to Capanaparo. The artisanry generated by the community serves multiple purposes, bringing revenue for daily necessities while preserving their ancestral knowledge.
The Impact of the US Blockade
Nevertheless, the far-reaching consequences of the US blockade gradually reveal themselves within the cloistered world of Coporo Indígena. Mario expounds upon their resilience:
"While the blockade has posed hurdles to our way of life, we have adapted and learned to live without certain luxuries. We made the most of our resources, re-learning to rely on ourselves and to conserve for lean times. Under desperate conditions, we became self-sufficient and stronger as a people."
However, Dan and Gladys García share their concerns over fluctuating access to healthcare and vital medication. With the ravages of the economic crisis exacerbating resource scarcity, the community grapples with the repercussions.
The future may be riddled with uncertainty, but the indomitable spirit of the Pumé shines through in the face of adversity, forging new paths yet preserving the lifestyle and identity passed down through generations.
- Fortunately, despite the historical displacement faced by indigenous groups like the Pumé, Coporo Indígena has persevered, maintaining its communal spirit and agricultural practices, such as the cultivation of casabe from the calabash tree, reflecting a resistance against the encroaching forces of displacement in politics and general-news.
- In the heart of Apure, the contemporary Pumé settlement, Coporo Indígena, rooted in the rich tradition of communal land ownership and self-governance, continues to advocate for the general-news preservation of its cultural heritage, including the communal union, craftsmanship, and the hybrid approach to farming, which has survived the test of time.
- Despite the challenging circumstances presented by modernity, the Pumé community of Coporo Indígena navigates a delicate balance between embracing conveniences like the sharing of resources and caring for their neighbors and maintaining their traditional way of life, demonstrating an admirable resilience in the face of the impacts wrought by the US blockade on their daily lives, healthcare, and critical supplies.
