Live

In Pictures

Gallery

In pictures: Bajamar Ballad

Afro-Colombians living in a town on stilts over the sea are resisting government efforts to relocate them.

For years, 25,000 Afro-Colombian refugees and migrants have lived in a town on stilts over the sea [Oliver Schmieg]
For years, 25,000 Afro-Colombian refugees and migrants have lived in a town on stilts over the sea [Oliver Schmieg]
23 Jul 2011
They are residents of Buenaventura on Colombia(***)s Pacific Coast [Oliver Schmieg]
They are residents of Buenaventura on Colombia(***)s Pacific Coast [Oliver Schmieg]
Advertisement
But now the Colombian government is attempting to relocate the entire community [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]
It wants to move them to an island barrio [Oliver Schmieg]
And to build a commerical port and tourist beaches in Buenaventura [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]
Community leaders are trying to resist the eviction [Oliver Schmieg]
Or at least fight for decent compensation [Oliver Schmieg]
Or at least fight for decent compensation [Oliver Schmieg]
Advertisement
As the move would not only rob residents of their homes but of their main livelihood - fishing [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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
More from Gallery

In Pictures: World Press Photo 2021 winners

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES - FIRST PRIZE, SINGLE: Fatima and her son prepare a fishing net on a boat in Khor Omeira bay, Yemen, on February 12, 2020. [Pablo Tosco, Argentina]

In Pictures: Inside China’s gymnastics training school

Young gymnasts train at the Li Xiaoshuang Gymnastics School. They are among the latest recruits to China's notoriously demanding state sports system. [Nicolas Asfouri/AFP]

In Pictures: Protests rage in US city over killing of Black man

Protesters confront state troopers, National Guard members and other law enforcement officers following the killing of Daunte Wright. [Nick Pfosi/Reuters]

In Pictures: Muslims start Ramadan under the shadow of pandemic

Muslims gather for prayers during the start of the holy month of Ramadan at the Al Akbar Mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia. [Juni Kriswanto/AFP]
Most Read

British royal family mourns as Prince Philip laid to rest

Pall bearers carry the coffin of the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip [Danny Lawson/Pool via AP]

Iran says suspect behind Natanz plant attack identified

The portrait of a man identified as Reza Karimi as shown on Iranian state media [File: IRIB via AP Photo]

Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny ‘could die at any moment’: Doctor

Navalny was arrested on January 17 when he returned to Russia from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from poisoning he blames on the Kremlin [File: Press service of Simonovsky District Court/Handout via Reuters]

Iran nuclear talks to continue amid ‘new understanding’

Delegation members from the parties to the Iran nuclear deal - Germany, France, the UK, China, Russia, the EU and Iran - attend a meeting at the Grand Hotel of Vienna [Handout/EU/AFP]