Reflections on the importance of strengthening the Isoseña-Guaraní Identity so that the Culture is not lost over time

Photo by Katia Garrido: Organization of the Arete Guasu within the framework of the Project

In the Kapeatindi Community of the Alto Isoso Zone, a productive and moving day was experienced, sharing experiences and learning about the results of the actions carried out by the SAVIA Association. These actions are aimed at supporting communities, revitalizing local customs, and caring for the territory in the Isoso region, with the goal of promoting the conservation of the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and its ancestral cultures. For the activity held on December 11th, authorities from the Alto Isoso and Bajo Isoso Captaincies, the Charagua Iyambae Indigenous Group, other local authorities, and the community at large were invited.

Photo by Mariely Negrette / SAVIA: Event Development

The event presented attendees and families from Isoseña with the conclusions of the project entitled: “Community Strengthening and Revaluation of Traditional Knowledge for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Community of Kapeatindi,” implemented by SAVIA (Association for Conservation, Biodiversity Research and Sustainable Development), a project that is part of the Resilience Strategy promoted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Additionally, at the request of community leaders, the Tierra Foundation presented the results of the project “Status of Land Titling and Registration in the Buffer Zone of the Kaa Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Integrated Management Area.”.

Project: “Community strengthening and revaluation of traditional knowledge for the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in the community of Kapeatindi”

This project, implemented by SAVIA, focused on strengthening ancestral knowledge in collaboration with the community. Its activities included the "1st Cultural, Environmental and Craft Fair," environmental education in schools, the "Arete Guasu -Big Festival-", the appreciation of traditional community practices such as the "Motiro" dance, and training in production and empowerment for women. This resulted in cultural bulletins and videos showcasing the Isoseña identity, as well as research documentation, including the ISOSO Diagnostic on production, food, migration, territory, and worldview of the local culture.

Photo Mariely Nagrette / SAVIA: Food from Isoso at the Cultural Fair

The event fostered reflection and debate on the need to promote the transmission of local customs and traditions, as well as sustainable alternatives, to ensure that the culture is not lost over time. It also highlighted the importance of disseminating the value of the Isoseño Territory and the Kaa-Iya region among adults, youth, and children, in coordination with staff from the Protected Area. The project was co-financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA), and ECCOS, with the participation of local authorities and families, and the support of park rangers and the communications team from the Kaa-Iya Protected Area.

Photo by Mariely Negrette / SAVIA: Women from Isoso present at the event

Project: “Status of the sanitation and titling of the buffer zone of the ANMI Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park”

The Tierra Foundation was invited to present the main findings at the buffer zone level of the Kaa Iya National Park ANMI, sharing the results of the Research Project financed by the SPP/UNDP, with emphasis on reflecting on the state of sanitation and titling of the Community Land of Isoso Origin -TCO/TIOC-, which managed to title 65,57% (654,743 ha.) of the total area recommended by competent authorities.

The Study presents the following aspects: 1) The process of land titling and regularization in favor of lowland indigenous peoples has been paralyzed; 2) The permissiveness of state institutions towards new human settlements in areas claimed as Indigenous Community Lands (TCO) by the Guarani Indigenous People is shown; 3) The penetration of agricultural and livestock activities into the buffer zone of the Kaa-Iya National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area (ANMI Kaa-Iya) is shown; 4) Distribution of public lands for new human settlements in the buffer zone; 5) Weak Agrarian Institutions; 6) Lack of transparency and information in the administration of public lands.

Photo by Katia Garrido: Isoseño Territory

The presentation displayed historical data through images showing deforestation from 1986 to 2016, revealing a loss of forest cover of approximately 201 TP3T (between the total area of the Kaa Iya Protected Area buffer zone and the land claim accepted as the Isoso Indigenous Territory). However, when examining deforestation within the land claim area, it increases significantly to 321 TP3T (end of 2018). This phenomenon is dynamic, and it is likely that deforestation within the accepted land claim area is currently above 401 TP3T.

Photo by Mariely Negrette / SAVIA: Reimundo Martínez-Community Advisor and Councilor, Felicia Barrientos-Leader and Porfirio Segundo-Traditional Doctor

It was emphasized that this process is the result of clearly established governmental and regional policies for biodiesel production and discretionary management of the land market in the region, whether through productive exploitation systems for the party or simply through land rental income. Authorities expressed concern and a sense of organizational weakness within the Isoseño Territory, stemming from the recent division of the lower and upper zone captaincy.

Local participation and the importance of conserving Kaa-Iya as ancestral territory and source of life for the Isoso

Photo by Carmen Miranda / SAVIA: Authorities and local leaders

On this occasion, 42 people participated, including authorities and delegates from the community, other communities, and institutions (17 women and 25 men). The objective of implementing these projects is to conserve the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area; in addition, to strengthen and contribute to the well-being of the surrounding cultures, considering that the creation of the Protected Area was promoted in 1995 by the three indigenous peoples associated with it: the Isoseño-Guaraní, the Chiquitano, and the Ayoreo peoples, to conserve the high values of natural and cultural diversity of the territory where it is located.

Photo by Mariely Negrette: The Arete Guasu Bulletin, uses and customs, and other research documents were delivered

The Isoseños present expressed their motivation and interest in continuing this type of initiative to leave their cultural heritage and territory to their descendants.