INDIGEND

The Indigenous Gender Diversity (INDIGEND) project is a collaborative research initiative conducted in partnership with seven Colombian Indigenous Peoples: the Bari, Inga, Muisca, Nasa, Pastos, Uitoto, and Uwa communities.

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At its core, INDIGEND examines how gender is conceived and lived within these Indigenous communities. Our research explores the rich tapestry of gender relations by investigating traditional gender roles and their transformations over time, examining diverse gender identities that extend beyond binary systems, and understanding how tradition, cosmovision, and gender intersect. We pay particular attention to forms of resistance and feminist leadership in Indigenous contexts, while also documenting community responses to gender-based violence and analyzing the influence of religion and Western culture on gender relations.

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Through careful ethnographic work, we document the complex reality of gender in these communities. This includes recording how different communities define and understand gender, tracing the origins of machismo and identifying paths toward change, and examining both traditional and contemporary gender roles across various spheres of life including education, medicine, politics, and property. Our research also delves into the spiritual dimensions of gender, documenting menstruation beliefs, sacred practices, and spiritual gender connections. We give special attention to Indigenous women's leadership—understanding both the obstacles they face and their strategies of resistance—while also exploring non-binary identities and political participation. Additionally, we document how communities respond to gender violence through traditional justice systems.

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INDIGEND's overarching goals are ambitious yet focused. We aim to explore, recognize, and highlight gender diversity within Indigenous worldviews while documenting traditional knowledge transmission and generational perspectives. Our work contributes to the preservation of collective and cultural rights by proposing pathways toward gender equality that respect cultural traditions. Ultimately, we share these vital perspectives through international academic publications.

By working directly with Indigenous communities, INDIGEND amplifies Indigenous voices and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of gender diversity within traditional cultural contexts. Our research will culminate in scholarly publications that bring these important findings to global academic audiences, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives on gender reach beyond local contexts to inform international discussions.