Author(s): Sarah Wagner
Year of publication: 2019
Keywords: Cultural revitalization, Guaraní communities, ICT practices, Communicative spaces, Indigenous cultural identity
Methodology/Sample: Ethnography/Observation and interviews (14)
Reference: Wagner, S. (2019). Cultural revitalization and the ontology of communicative spaces:‘Mobile coordinating’among Guaraní. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 22(3), 417-433. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877918793429
Abstract
Much ICT-related cultural revitalization research in indigenous contexts concerns the production and circulation of traditional and indigenous language content matter. Drawing on ethnographic research with Guaraní communities in Tarija Department, Bolivia, this article argues for the significance of everyday, intracommunity communicative spaces to cultural revitalization. I describe how Guaraní renegotiate and delimit ICT practices – with respect to changing group norms on appropriate communication mediums – to safeguard relaxed, responsive and face-to-face communicative spaces. In the context of this research, the sentiment of togetherness reinforced by such communicative spaces was what underlay and incited cultural practices. This opens up important issues for cultural revitalization research relating to the ontology of ICT-mediated communicative spaces and the processes through which these are renegotiated and decolonized.
- The paper explores ICT-related cultural revitalization in Guaraní communities in Bolivia, emphasizing everyday communicative spaces’ significance for cultural practices.
- It argues for community-based research to understand indigenous media beyond mass media representations.
- The study highlights the need for local conditions that support indigenous representation in ICT service planning.
- Informants expressed a desire for a community radio station to promote Guaraní language and culture.
- The research reveals the impact of historical upheaval on cultural identity and revitalization efforts among the Guaraní.
> Problem statement
- The paper discusses the oppression and misrepresentation of indigenous knowledges through Western research agendas.
- It highlights the cultural biases of technical architectures affecting indigenous communication services.
- The significance of everyday communicative spaces in cultural revitalization is emphasized.
- Indigenous peoples’ rights to access and use new technologies are central to the discussion.
- The paper argues for the need for grounded, community-based research on ICTs and cultural concerns.
> Methods used
- The research involved collaboration with indigenous representatives and community members to develop the project concept.
- Ethnographic research was conducted with Guaraní communicators and community members over a year-long period.
- Participant observation and informal discussions were key methods for gathering data in the communities.
- A total of 34 interviews were conducted, evenly split between male and female participants.
- Data were organized using Atlas.ti software, employing an iterative analysis process.
- The study focused on renegotiating ICT practices to maintain cultural continuity within communicative spaces.
> Practical implications
- The paper highlights the need for community-based research to understand ICTs’ role in cultural revitalization and communication practices.
- It emphasizes the importance of adapting ICT services to support indigenous communication preferences and cultural values.
- The findings suggest that local conditions can enhance the appropriation of ICT services for indigenous representation.
- The research indicates that community members prefer face-to-face communication, impacting their engagement with online platforms.
- It calls for further exploration of policy contexts that facilitate indigenous representation in ICT planning.