Salua Rivero

Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Andrews, Anthony

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

In this project, I will investigate the role of Erythroxylum Coca in indigenous communities living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Colombia. The traditional cultivation and use of the coca leaf has nutritional, medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Used for thousands of generations for stamina and energy, elevation sickness, digestive aid and as a staple when food is scarce, coca is highly valued all throughout South America. The effects of colonization followed by industrialization in Colombia, has affected these communities and their ancient cultivation of this plant. The high demand for coca derivatives such as cocaine has impacted the communities in the Sierra as coca leaves became highly sought out by illegal armed groups to produce cocaine, making it a threat for anyone cultivating the plant, and by the government through their coca eradication laws, which affect other crops and the surrounding environment. For these reasons, there is a negative stigma regarding the coca plant. Although they have received protection from the law to cultivate and sell coca leaves and coca products, their communities continue to be threatened by illegal armed groups to this day. This paper argues that the root cause of this problem is the recent phenomenon of globalization and a global economy. Because of the high supply and demand for coca derivatives in countries around the globe, the communities suffer from the high stigma against the plant from locals and foreigners as well as the lack of education and information regarding the nutritive benefits and traditional uses of the plant. The research is intended to benefit the indigenous communities in emphasizing the medicinal properties of coca with the purpose of breaking and ending stigma against the plant so that they may continue cultivating, harvesting and using these plants without limitations. This paper also advocates for the preservation of indigenous culture in Colombia and all throughout the globe by exploring their culture and their cosmology as it relates to globalization. My research explores this subject by doing extensive literary research and reviews, conducting field observations and interviews with three groups of people in Colombia. The first group is with individuals that identify as indigenous to the Sierra Nevada Mountains (most interviews were conducted with Kankuamos), the second group is with locals in surrounding cities, and the third is with professionals from universities and local organizations. My research corrects some of the claims put forth by older research projects on these communities and adds to new information in the field of ethnobotany on the current state of these communities. My research also concludes how globalization is a big factor contributing to the negative impacts on the communities regarding coca due to tourism, cocaine demand and lack of education on indigenous culture. The solution to this pressing issue is more effective communication with indigenous people and education on indigenous culture and their use of plant medicines.

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