Becoming Heritage

"Since the late twentieth century, multicultural reforms to benefit minorities have swept through Latin America, however, in Colombia ethno-racial inequality remains rife. "Becoming Heritage" evaluates 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 2008. Although the designation partially delivered on its promise of multicultural inclusion, it also created ethno-racial exclusion and conflict among groups within the Palenquero community. The new forms of power, knowledge, skills and values created to safeguard heritage exacerbated political, social, symbolic and economic inequalities among Palenqueros, and did little to ameliorate the harsh realities of living and dying in Palenque. Bringing together broader discussions on race, nation and inclusion in Colombia, "Becoming Heritage" reveals that inequality in Palenque is not only a result of Black Colombians' uneven access to resources; it is enforced through heritage politics, expertise and governance. Maria Fernanda Escallâon is Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Her work has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Fulbright Program and the Mellon Foundation. Before pursuing doctoral studies, she worked in sustainable development and heritage policy-making in Colombia"--