Creative Defense of Life, Land, and Territory from Indigenous Peoples
Location:
Community of Ccapaq Hancco - Ayaviri, Peru
Art Medium:
Visual Arts
Partner:
Cutural Survival
Artist:
None
The Challenge
The Indigenous community of Ccapaq Hancco in Ayaviri, Peru, faces growing environmental and social challenges that threaten its way of life. Water contamination from nearby mining activities, climate change, and external economic pressures have disrupted traditional practices and weakened community ties. With limited economic opportunities, many young people leave, further challenging the community’s ability to preserve its land and culture.
The Action
In this CAP, community members used creative activities like role-play and storytelling to examine how environmental damage and external pressures are affecting their land. Youth led the way in exploring the root causes of these challenges, analyzing water systems, farming changes, and the weakening of communal structures. They collectively devised solutions which included strengthening indigenous local government models (ayllu system) and encouraging greater participation from women and youth.
The Impact
• Through the CAP, community members identified key challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and weakened communal structures, and explored local solutions such as reviving traditional governance and promoting inclusive participation.
• Creative activities helped youth and adults reflect, strengthen cultural identity, and adapt traditional practices to current realities.
• The process shifted how the community viewed themselves, fostering pride and a sense of control over their future.
Photo Gallery
