In pictures: Bajamar Ballad

Artscape - Bajamar Ballads - Pix gallery

They are residents of Buenaventura on Colombia(***)s Pacific Coast [Oliver Schmieg]

But now the Colombian government is attempting to relocate the entire community [Oliver Schmieg]

It wants to move them to an island barrio [Oliver Schmieg]

And to build a commerical port and tourist beaches in Buenaventura [Oliver Schmieg]

Community leaders are trying to resist the eviction [Oliver Schmieg]

Or at least fight for decent compensation [Oliver Schmieg]

As the move would not only rob residents of their homes but of their main livelihood - fishing [Oliver Schmieg]

The vast majority of the residents of the area are black and many see the eviction in race terms [Oliver Schmieg]

They argue that the Afro-Colombians have managed to acquire prime real estate and now the white and mixed race elite want to take it for themselves [Oliver Schmieg]

Activist Benildo Estupinan has organised local musicians and singers to compose songs that raise consciousness of the issues they face [Oliver Schmieg]

A collective of 30 singers and musicians was formed in December and given the name "Marcando Territorio" or "Defending Territory" [Oliver Schmieg]

They are organising concerts, rallies and recording songs in defence of their homes and way of life [Oliver Schmieg]

Residents argue that evicting them and moving them to a proposed housing development would only increase their problems [Oliver Schmieg]

Estupinan says it would leave them poor and unemployed in an island ghetto [Oliver Schmieg]

Beyond the economic factors, residents say their "territory" is at the core of their identity [Oliver Schmieg]

It is the place where they say they can fish, chop wood and collect tropical fruit from the mangroves [Oliver Schmieg]

The residents feel they are a persecuted minority that has never received anything from the government [Oliver Schmieg]

As one of the musicians, Pompilio Castillo, sings: "The poor man has never been taken into account. The government and the rich will not listen to you." [Oliver Schmieg]