COVID-19: an opportunity to revitalize food autonomy in indigenous communities

Abstract

Food autonomy allows communities to determine their food practices, starting with agricultural production in their territories, guaranteeing their own economy and harmony with Mother Earth. In this context, the COVID-19 pandemic generated changes in social practices in the communities. indigenous communities, including their food practices. Objective: Describe food autonomy practices revitalized following the COVID-19 confinement in a Nasa indigenous community in southern Colombia. Method: Qualitative study oriented on community-based participatory research (CBPR) carried out in a Nasa indigenous community in southern Colombia. The collection and interpretation of information was carried out with qualitative research techniques: open and axial coding and until reaching the description of emerging categories. Results: Ancestral practices of the food system were strengthened to improve access to healthy foods produced in their territories, among which the following stand out: tul (family garden), barter, hand-exchange, Nasa market and traditional recipes. Conclusions: Confinement represented an opportunity to resume and revitalize the community's ancestral food practices that responded to specific health and food needs, strengthening the social fabric and indigenous identity, actions that can transcend public policies, life plans and aspirations for a good life.

Keywords:
Basic food; Food autonomy; Indigenous villages; Covid-19; Health of indigenous populations; Enviromental health; Organic agriculture; Environment and Public Health