Les Mhuysqas de Cota dans le tournant de la reconnaissance

Abstract

This article analyses the actions implemented by the Mhuysqa’s indigenous community of Cota in order to be officially recognized by the Colombian State as a resguardo indígena. Their claims are opposed to non-recognition of communities and peoples who do not bring all ethnic parameters usually demanded by the Colombian State, mainly the characteristics of « socio-cultural difference » with the majority society. Based on practices observed during our ethnographic work in the community of Cota, the concepts of recognition and strategy help us analyse the problem of ethnic groups in this country. We will try to show the paradoxes associated with status of « ethnic group » like a juridical category in a multiethnic and multicultural State.

Keywords

• ethnic group
• strategy
• recognition
• Mhuysqa
• Colombia