Based on the project “Based on the project "Making the territory speak: mapping the voices of climate change in our communities", winner of the PUCP (Pontifical Catholic University of Peru) RSU (Social Responsibility University) fund in 2023, in January of this year, the female and male leaders of the Kichwa communities and federations that participated in the creation of the talking maps gathered. The purpose was the delivery of these maps, printed to scale, by the researchers. They also critically discussed how to use them as a tool for advocacy for the recognition of their ancestral territories and to consolidate governance over their territory. This activity took place within the framework of the project "Indigenous Visions for Climate Justice", coordinated by Maritza Paredes (PUCP)
The work was carried out in five Kichwa communities in the district of Chazuta, in the province and region of San Martín: Canayo, Túpac Amaru, which belong to the Federation of Indigenous Kichwa Peoples of Chazuta Amazonas - FEPIKECHAas well as the communities of Ricardo Palma, Mushuk Llakta, and Shilcayo belonging to the Federation of Indigenous Kechwas of the Lower Huallaga San Martín FEPIKBHSAM. El equipo que implementó el proyecto de los mapas parlantes fue coordinado por Anke Kaulard y participaron Maritza Paredes, Danitza Gil , Bequer Tuanama y Paula Tafur, así como los arquitectos Akemi Higa y Kevin Malca.
But, what is a speaking map and how were they made?
Essentially, it is a visual and dynamic representation of geographic data, but one that draws upon the oral resources of Indigenous communities that inhabit and understand the territory better than anyone else. The maps display specific information, such as overlaps with protected natural areas, claims for recognition and expansion of ancestral territories, social conflicts, dangers, deforestation, areas of legal and illegal cultivation, places of memory, and tourist resources, among others.
Map of the Tupac Amaru Community
In each community, a collective mapping workshop was held, in which an intergenerational space (elders, community authorities, and children) was created to identify and draw maps with historical, cultural, political, and infrastructural aspects. In this way, 5 communal maps were created using symbols and representations of the local context.
Posteriormente, el equipo, apoyado por los arquitectos, desarrolló íconos gráficos basados en estos mapas, con el fin de hacerlos comparables digitalmente a través de una leyenda compartida. Utilizando la información recopilada, se elaboraron un mapa digital general del Bajo Huallaga y mapas específicos de cada comunidad.
Proceso de dibujo de los mapas parlantes. Créditos: Leslie Searles.
Subsequently, the team, supported by the architects, developed graphic icons based on these maps, in order to make them digitally comparable through a shared legend. Using the collected information, the team elaborated a general digital map of the Bajo Huallaga and specific maps of each community. These maps were printed on cloth in large format and are accompanied by mobile icons, allowing for dynamic use. Finally, they were delivered to the community leaders.The appropriation of the maps by the communities and federations will guide how they will use these tools and how the members of the native communities will be involved, according to their specific contexts and responsibilities.
Digital general map
Agreements and Next Steps
Al terminar la reunión, Marisol García, presidenta de la federación, Carlos Deivis Lozano , secretario Juventud FEPIKECHA y Aquilino Chujandama, fundador de la organización indígena, sabio y curandero, aportaron sus conclusiones y trazaron líneas de acción. Se enfocaron en las nuevas generaciones. Por ejemplo, propusieron que las y los jóvenes de las comunidades organicen una exposición fotográfica en la maloca de la federación. Esto con la finalidad de manifestar los problemas de sus territorios. Asimismo, sugieren que se puedan juntar los esfuerzos con los mapas parlantes y fotos para exponerlas conjuntamente.
The representatives of FEPIKECHA emphasize the importance of young people knowing the forest and the information it encompasses, the boundaries with other communities, threats and potentialities, as well as titling and expansion projects of their territories:
"They patrol, but they do not know the territory well, so the maps - with instruction from a wise person - can be used to explain the paths and ravines," concludes García. To this, Chujandama emphasizes that girls and boys should be taught about the issues of the territory, especially in the "adverse national context referred to in the forestry law."
On behalf of FEPIKBHSAM, President Samuel Pinedo argued that it is necessary to extend the invitation to more communities, providing information to communities on how to use the maps as management tools.
Secondly, he specified that there should be a speaker (local) who explains the function of the maps in broad terms. From both federations, the need to obtain the maps in digital form for intervention is emphasized. It was also concluded that, in addition to serving for the demarcation of territories, maps have the potential for tourism and educational use.
With these actions, the project helps to understand the environmental, social, and political challenges of climate change. To achieve this, it is essential to promote the participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making on environmental public policies, reflected in concrete actions. Likewise, it seeks to raise awareness among the state and academia about the importance of implementing - making visible and recognizing - indigenous knowledge in the pursuit of climate justice.
