Neider Devia Merchan

PhD
Latin American Studies

Title of Dissertation : Resistance, adaptation, and reconstruction of identity: the history and contemporary challenges of the Pijao indigenous people in Colombia

Neider's dissertation project examines how the Pijao people of Tolima, Colombia, respond to external questioning of their indigenous identity and how they reconstruct and redefine that identity in the contemporary context. The study analyzes the historical impact of colonization, evangelization, armed conflict, and assimilation on Pijao cultural identity, while also exploring the strategies of resistance and adaptation developed by the community. Using a qualitative and descriptive methodology, the project draws on 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted during preliminary fieldwork in 2025 with participants from different generations. These interviews are complemented by a comprehensive literature review and archival research, including the analysis of colonial records, republican legislation, constitutional frameworks, and contemporary public policies related to indigenous peoples in Colombia. This research challenges essentialist definitions of indigeneity and contributes to scholarly debates on identity, recognition, and power while generating knowledge that may inform more inclusive policies for indigenous rights and cultural preservation.