RECLAMA: Harnessing Afro-Ecuadorian Women's Heritage

RECLAMA (Harnessing Afro-Ecuadorian women's heritage) is a decolonial, anti-racist and feminist research project, drawing conceptually on geography and critical history, using oral history tools and participatory methodologies to strengthen the reexistencia (literally, "re-existence") of Afro-descendant-black women, with the aim of visibilising their knowledge, and opening up spaces for transmission of their rich cultural heritage. The project is funded by the British Academy/GCRF Heritage, Dignity and Violence Fund and its purpose is to document the rich heritage of Afro-descendant-black women living in Esmeraldas Province, on the north coast of Ecuador.

Through oral histories and art, community and peer researchers will explore memories, experiences and knowledge with Afro-Ecuadorian women, sharing ideas about creating sustainable development, based on peace and community sisterhood, to fight back against sexist and racist violence and extractive capitalism that destroys territories and life itself. The research is led by Prof Katy Jenkins working with Dr Inge Boudewijn at Northumbria University and a team of Ecuadorian academics and the Ecuadorian women's collective Mujeres de Asfalto.

You can find out more about the research, the team and access publications, blog posts, videos and more by visiting the project's dedicated bilingual website and Twitter page (content available in English and Spanish).