What question did this study set out to answer?

This article examines the relationship between state constructions of indigeneity, territory, and Indigenous rights in Colombia.

April 30, 2026

Beyond Territorialization? State Constructions of the Indigenous Subject of Rights in Multicultural Colombia

Key Points

This article examines the relationship between state constructions of indigeneity, territory, and Indigenous rights in Colombia.
Analyzing the constructions of territory and indigeneity by the Colombian state.
Examining the implications for Indigenous collectives, particularly in urban settings.
Critiquing the application of transitional justice measures on Indigenous territories.
Indigenous collectives in urban areas face recognition obstacles.
Territorial rights are mainly confined to Indigenous resguardos.
Transitional justice measures may reproduce essentialist notions of territory and culture, limiting decolonial efforts.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article traces the Colombian state’s constructions of indigeneity and territory to highlight their enduring inter-relation. In this inter-relation, “territory” is conflated with rural areas, and territorial rights are confined to Indigenous resguardos (reserves). Three political implications arise from this inter-relation. First, Indigenous collectives in urban areas face continued obstacles to recognition. Second, while resguardos have been critiqued for enclosing communities, attention should also be paid to Indigenous political struggles to exceed their boundaries. Third, some transitional justice measures that grant victimhood to Indigenous territories have reproduced essentialist notions of “territory” and culture, undermining their decolonial potential.

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Cite This Study

Jennifer Bates (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69f2a47b8c0f03fd67763726 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2026.a989161

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