As you travel, you become accustomed to learning things about other cultures you had never suspected, let alone knew. Even things you wonder at and may not agree upon.
I was standing in a little shop in Cartagena, Colombia, and noted there were several small versions of a statue of a Native American woman for sale amongst the tchotckes. At one end of the shop, positioned amongst artistic portraits of women and girls in a position of honor, stood a life-sized copper-colored copy of the same image.
I asked the shop owner "Quien es la india?" ("Who is the indian woman?")
I was standing in a little shop in Cartagena, Colombia, and noted there were several small versions of a statue of a Native American woman for sale amongst the tchotckes. At one end of the shop, positioned amongst artistic portraits of women and girls in a position of honor, stood a life-sized copper-colored copy of the same image.
I asked the shop owner "Quien es la india?" ("Who is the indian woman?")
He replied "Es La India Catalina". ("The indian Catalina.")
A moment later I indicated my camera, "Con permiso" ("With permission")
"Si, solo la india." ("Yes, the indian only.")
"Si, solamenta la india." ("Yes, only the indian.")
Upon research I found that the woman, named Catalina by the Spaniards, helped in the conquest of the native Colombian peoples. She is held as a symbol, of sorts, by the Colombians, and this statue -- the original -- is revered by modern-day Colombians.
Given my work with native American cultures, I'm not sure why.
But I will honor her.
Given my work with native American cultures, I'm not sure why.
But I will honor her.
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