Commemorating 100 years of Guna autonomy

This year marks 100 years of Guna autonomy and sovereignty over their territory.

On the 25th of February, Guna Yala people, an indigenous group living along the Caribbean coast and San Blas Islands, celebrated this centennial with various cultural events in all their communities. The staging of the events took place on Tigre Island (Digir, its name in Guna).

As well as a commemoration, this date is a reflection of their enduring struggle for autonomy, identity and preservation.

A bit of background:

In the early 20th century, the Panamanian government tried to forcefully assimilate the Guna people into mainstream Panamanian culture. Authorities imposed bans on traditional clothing, rituals, and self-governance. Schools were established to "civilize" Guna children, often punishing them for speaking their native language or practicing their customs. Additionally, police forces harassed and abused the Guna population, leading to growing resentment.

This ignited the revolution in which the Guna stood up for their people and their culture with resistance to the government's oppression over their customs and traditions. Guna people defended themselves against authorities to protect their cultural traditions, autonomy, and worldview. They organized an armed revolt in which they fought for a week, subsequently expelling authorities and later declaring their independence.

The importance of this fight lasts to this day and includes us since they are also defending nature. In a glance, their lush mountain range is beaming with life. It is evident they have the right relationship with their land.

“Although Indigenous peoples account for just 5% of the world’s population, they effectively manage a third of the Earth’s landscapes. Indeed, this land coincides with areas holding 80% of the terrestrial biodiversity and about 40% of the protected areas and ecologically intact landscapes. The fact that 91% of their lands are in good or fair ecological condition today is a testament to the effectiveness of long-term Indigenous stewardship in managing complex natural environments.”

-W.E.F.

This year we celebrate them for who they are and their system of beliefs that, above all, nurtures life. We thank them for opening their territory to us, as we come from a different system, one that exploits life and one which needs to change course and emulate the indigenous people of the world.

Today, the Guna Yala territory remains one of the most autonomous indigenous regions in the world, keeping its own laws, governance, and cultural practices.

The Guna Revolution stands as a testament to their resilience and determination, as well as maintaining sovereignty and cultural heritage intact over the past century.