Colombian Counterpoint: Transculturation in Sibundoy Valley Ethnohistory

Anthropological and historical scholarship on cultural change in colonially subordinated cultures has often stressed deculturation—cultural loss degradation—as a consequence of colonialism. This paper disputes that narrative by presenting the case Indigenous Sibundoy Valley southwest Colombia from an ethnohistorical perspective. Drawing historical, ethnographic, theoretical texts relying concept transculturation—understood as complex process partial loss, gain, creation new phenomena intercultural encounters—as more nuanced alternative to deculturation, I outline history valley prehispanic period present. While recognizing colonialism had catastrophic effects communities valley, also suggest these communities’ deep experiences with transculturation era enabled preservation rearticulation core elements post-contact period. That transcultural experience allowed for incorporation foreign, imposed into pre-existing framework valley. The continuity demonstrates its have not been passive subjects colonial power, but rather active agents negotiating mitigating deculturating effects. approach emphasizes agency peoples central protagonists makers their own history. conclude suggesting broader applicability this perspective other situations postcolonial contexts.