Becoming Heritage: Recognition, Exclusion, and the Politics of Black Cultural Heritage in Colombia

Becoming Heritage examines how heritage policies affected the Afro-Colombian community of San Basilio de Palenque after it was proclaimed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005, revealing that inequality is enforced through heritage politics, expertise, and governance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 253 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Since the late twentieth century, Latin America has witnessed a wave of multicultural reforms aimed at uplifting minorities. However, Colombia continues to grapple with ethno-racial inequality, a persistent issue that has hindered progress. Becoming Heritage delves into the impact of heritage policies on the Afro-Colombian community of San Basilio de Palenque after it was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. While the designation aimed to promote multicultural inclusion, it inadvertently led to ethno-racial exclusion and conflicts within the Palenquero community. The emergence of new power structures, knowledge systems, skills, and values to safeguard heritage exacerbated political, social, symbolic, and economic inequalities among Palenqueros, failing to alleviate the harsh realities of their daily lives and deaths. By bringing together broader discussions on race, nation, and inclusion in Colombia, Becoming Heritage uncovers that inequality in Palenque extends beyond mere access to resources. It is enforced through heritage politics, expertise, and governance, highlighting the complex interplay between heritage, identity, and social dynamics in the region.

Since the late twentieth century, Latin America has witnessed a wave of multicultural reforms aimed at uplifting minorities. However, Colombia continues to grapple with ethno-racial inequality, a persistent issue that has hindered progress. Becoming Heritage delves into the impact of heritage policies on the Afro-Colombian community of San Basilio de Palenque after it was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. While the designation aimed to promote multicultural inclusion, it inadvertently led to ethno-racial exclusion and conflicts within the Palenquero community. The emergence of new power structures, knowledge systems, skills, and values to safeguard heritage exacerbated political, social, symbolic, and economic inequalities among Palenqueros, failing to alleviate the harsh realities of their daily lives and deaths. By bringing together broader discussions on race, nation, and inclusion in Colombia, Becoming Heritage uncovers that inequality in Palenque extends beyond mere access to resources. It is enforced through heritage politics, expertise, and governance, highlighting the complex interplay between heritage, identity, and social dynamics in the region.

Weight: 490g
ISBN-13: 9781009180375