Taught to Work and Food: Pasto Indigenous’ Headstrong Animals in Southern Colombia

https://doi.org/10.25058/20112742.n40.03

Laura Guzmán Peñuela
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4034-4903
Universidad de Caldas, Colombia
laura.guzman@ucaldas.edu.co

Abstract:

This article is the result of a participant observation work with humans and domestic animals from the Indian reservation of Pastás, in Nariño, Colombia. It suggests firstly that human and non-human animals share social life to which they should teach themselves, and that life is made up of food and work-related action and inaction. That way, they give each other the possibility to exist. Secondly, it advances that Pasto Indigenous people are aware their animals are not subdued to human will. On the contrary, the intents of both often appear in direct opposition. Thus, in order to live together, humans and animals need to pay careful attention to their companions and to interrogate them, too. Answers are not conclusive, but they’re amazing.

Keywords: Attention, Pasto Indigenous people, participant observation, dogs, work, cows.