An Indigenous Autonomous Community-Based Model for Knowledge Production in the Peruvian Andes

The regeneration of Kawsay (life as a whole) is central to successful Andean indigenous strategies of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, food security, and climate change. To this effect, the collective Proyecto Andino de Tecnologias Campesinas–Nucleos de Afirmacion Cultural Andino-Amazonica (PRATEC–NACAs) have 26 years of autonomous community-based experience with Andean cultural affirmation. Together, they provide a comprehensive alternative to the limitations, and failures, of Euro-North American centrism manifested through development approaches imposed on Andean indigenous communities. PRATEC-NACAs offer a viable, innovative culturally sensitive and community-based approach to regenerating Kawsay by revaluing and regenerating the Andean indigenous knowledge system and its underlying ancestral cosmological worldview through an autonomous epistemology of cultural affirmation and facilitator, the accompanist. From an indigenous studies position, this article (a) explores the significance of PRATEC-NACA’s work in generating an indigenous autonomous epistemic (and potentially emancipatory) horizon of devoting itself to a project of cultural affirmation, respectful inter- and multicultural dialogues of knowledge systems and indigenous self-determination; (b) acknowledges Andean indigenous concept, autonomy, and ontonomy as a requirement for the national and regional nurturance and regeneration of Kawsay in the Andes.