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Caminos Alternativos hacia la Gobernanza Ancestral del Agua en el Caribe Colombiano : Pacto por la Yanama – Diálogo intercultural para el desarrollo humano sostenible

Palacio, Andrés LU orcid and Martinez, Nazly (2026)
Abstract
The book is a collective work that brings together Wayúu and non-Wayúu voices around the vital relationship between water, territory, and culture in La Guajira. The book recovers an Indigenous worldview that conceives of water as a living and political being, whose absence or abundance shapes community life, social organization, and spiritual rituals. Through chapters exploring social cartography, biocultural memory, spiritual meanings, and ancestral institutions, the book argues that sustainability cannot be approached solely from a technical perspective, but rather through intercultural dialogue that recognizes the dignity and agency of water in the life of the Wayúu people.

Beyond its cultural description, the book plays a... (More)
The book is a collective work that brings together Wayúu and non-Wayúu voices around the vital relationship between water, territory, and culture in La Guajira. The book recovers an Indigenous worldview that conceives of water as a living and political being, whose absence or abundance shapes community life, social organization, and spiritual rituals. Through chapters exploring social cartography, biocultural memory, spiritual meanings, and ancestral institutions, the book argues that sustainability cannot be approached solely from a technical perspective, but rather through intercultural dialogue that recognizes the dignity and agency of water in the life of the Wayúu people.

Beyond its cultural description, the book plays a critical role by questioning failed external interventions and the fragmentation of scientific knowledge in relation to local knowledge systems. Its contribution lies in highlighting the importance of water governance that combines Wayúu autonomy with public policy within a framework of environmental justice and collective rights. By emphasizing the role of women as guardians of water and memory, the book offers both a critical account of the water and climate crisis and a horizon of hope for rethinking water management through the lenses of equity, spirituality, and sustainability. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
editor
LU orcid and Martinez, Nazly
organization
alternative title
Alternative Pathways toward Ancestral Water Governance in the Colombian Caribbean: Pact for the Yanama : Intercultural Dialogue for Sustainable Human Development
publishing date
type
Book/Report
publication status
in press
subject
keywords
water, indigenous communities, cultural practices, Wayúu people, Guajira, Colombia
pages
147 pages
publisher
Universidad Externado De Colombia
ISBN
978-958-506-518-5
978-958-506-518-5
project
Confronting the climate – water – biodiversity interactions: How rural communities can choose to become sustainable
Extractivism Research Group
language
Spanish
LU publication?
yes
id
b6befbac-2c57-4126-97fd-c4129e21dd28
date added to LUP
2026-08-28 19:37:17
date last changed
2026-08-31 13:05:19
@book{b6befbac-2c57-4126-97fd-c4129e21dd28,
  abstract     = {{The book is a collective work that brings together Wayúu and non-Wayúu voices around the vital relationship between water, territory, and culture in La Guajira. The book recovers an Indigenous worldview that conceives of water as a living and political being, whose absence or abundance shapes community life, social organization, and spiritual rituals. Through chapters exploring social cartography, biocultural memory, spiritual meanings, and ancestral institutions, the book argues that sustainability cannot be approached solely from a technical perspective, but rather through intercultural dialogue that recognizes the dignity and agency of water in the life of the Wayúu people.<br/><br/>Beyond its cultural description, the book plays a critical role by questioning failed external interventions and the fragmentation of scientific knowledge in relation to local knowledge systems. Its contribution lies in highlighting the importance of water governance that combines Wayúu autonomy with public policy within a framework of environmental justice and collective rights. By emphasizing the role of women as guardians of water and memory, the book offers both a critical account of the water and climate crisis and a horizon of hope for rethinking water management through the lenses of equity, spirituality, and sustainability.}},
  editor       = {{Palacio, Andrés and Martinez, Nazly}},
  isbn         = {{978-958-506-518-5}},
  keywords     = {{water; indigenous communities; cultural practices; Wayúu people; Guajira; Colombia}},
  language     = {{spa}},
  month        = {{08}},
  note         = {{Book Editor}},
  publisher    = {{Universidad Externado De Colombia}},
  title        = {{Caminos Alternativos hacia la Gobernanza Ancestral del Agua en el Caribe Colombiano : Pacto por la Yanama – Diálogo intercultural para el desarrollo humano sostenible}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}