Surreal illustration of Colombian Caribbean landscape representing indigenous history.

Unearthing the Past: How Indigenous Identity Shaped 19th-Century Colombia

Avery Sinclair in Culture & Society June 2025 • 5 min read.

"Exploring the complexities of indigenous identity, nationhood, and social change in the Colombian Caribbean."

In the 19th century, Colombia's elites, authorities, and intellectuals grappled with a fundamental question: What does it mean to be indigenous? The answers carried significant political and institutional weight, especially in regions like the Colombian Caribbean, where integration between indigenous communities and the broader society had been occurring since the early colonial period. According to census data from 1777-1778, over 18% of the population in the province of Cartagena identified as indigenous.

Even as late as 1912, a census focusing solely on the male population indicated that 6.5% of men in the departments of Bolívar (excluding San Andrés and Providencia archipelago) and Atlántico were indigenous. Adjusting for a similar percentage of women, the total could reach approximately 13%. These figures challenge historical narratives that suggest the disappearance or insignificance of indigenous communities during the early Republican era. This prompts a reevaluation of Colombia’s social and ethnic composition.

Understanding indigenous identity requires examining how political figures and intellectuals represented indigenous people in the early Republic, the identity manipulations employed by indigenous communities, and the unique aspects of agrarian communities often overlooked in mainstream depictions. This study argues that in the latter half of the 19th century, indigenous identity in the Bolívar Grande region was caught in a tension that gradually eroded it. This tension arose from the ideology of mestizaje, the desire to create a unified national identity, and the ambivalence of authorities toward recognizing indigenous communities.

The Shifting Sands of Identity: From Colony to Republic

Surreal illustration of Colombian Caribbean landscape representing indigenous history.

During the early colonial period, the term 'indios' was used to categorize the native peoples of the Americas, facilitating both interaction and subordination. This label created a sense of 'otherness,' oscillating between acknowledging diverse cultures and imposing homogeneity. Over time, native populations assimilated this designation while adapting to the control of colonizers, leading to the formation of new identities where subordination became a core element. Subalternity shaped their language and narratives, influenced by the dominant discourse but adapted to express indigenous agency.

This institutionalized identity, shaped and imposed by colonial authorities, played a significant role in establishing indigenous settlements and legal frameworks. As the colony evolved, the meanings associated with indigenous identity shifted due to factors such as mestizaje, monarchical fiscal needs, indigenous agency, and relationships with other social groups. By the 18th century in New Granada, an individual’s identity was closely linked to phenotype, culture, and, most importantly, their legal and political status.

Phenotype: Physical appearance was a key marker.
Culture: Customs, traditions, and social practices distinguished indigenous communities.
Legal and Political Status: This was determined by the abolishment of encomiendas and the establishment of resguardos.
Resguardos: These transformed indigenous villages into political entities within the monarchy.

Resguardos ensured certain rights to indigenous communities, notably the control of governance structures (such as governors, captains, and indigenous councils) and communal lands. In contrast to the Andean region, resguardos in the Caribbean Coast were formalized later in the 18th century due to elite resistance, frontier dynamics, and the negotiating power of elites in Cartagena and Santa Marta. As part of Bourbon reforms, authorities implemented policies to create resguardos, establish new tribute systems, and protect indigenous lands. In this context, resguardos can be interpreted as redefining subordination and asserting state control over indigenous populations and local elites.

A Legacy of Negotiation and Resistance

Throughout the 19th century, indigenous identity in the Colombian Caribbean was a dynamic negotiation between state impositions, elite interests, and indigenous agency. By understanding the historical interplay of tribute, phenotype, and genealogy, we gain insight into the complexities of nation-building and the enduring legacy of indigenous communities in shaping Colombian society. This deeper exploration challenges simplistic narratives of disappearance or assimilation, emphasizing the continuous adaptation and resistance of indigenous peoples in the face of evolving political and social landscapes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5209/rev_rcha.2012.v38.40236, Alternate LINK

Title: Tributo, Fenotipo Y Genealogía. Indígenas Y Nación En El Caribe Colombiano Durante El Siglo Xix

Subject: History

Journal: Revista Complutense de Historia de América

Publisher: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)

Authors: Sergio Paolo Solano

Published: 2012-12-11

Everything You Need To Know

What factors complicated the definition of 'indigenous' in 19th-century Colombia, especially in the Caribbean region, and why was it politically important?

In 19th-century Colombia, particularly in the Caribbean region, defining 'indigenous' was a complex issue with significant political and institutional implications. Integration between indigenous communities and broader society had occurred since early colonial times. Census data revealed a notable percentage of the population identified as indigenous, challenging narratives of their disappearance during the Republican era. This identity was shaped by how political figures and intellectuals represented indigenous people, the identity manipulations employed by the communities themselves, and the unique aspects of agrarian life often overlooked.

How did the colonial term 'indios' shape indigenous identity, and in what ways did native populations adapt this designation to express their own agency?

The term 'indios' categorized native peoples during the early colonial period, facilitating interaction and subordination. While creating a sense of 'otherness,' oscillating between acknowledging diverse cultures and imposing homogeneity. Over time, native populations assimilated this designation, adapting to colonial control and forming new identities where subordination became core. This subalternity influenced their language and narratives, shaped by dominant discourse but adapted to express indigenous agency.

According to the study, what key characteristics defined indigenous identity in 18th-century New Granada, and how did each of these markers contribute to that definition?

Phenotype, culture, and legal/political status defined indigenous identity in 18th-century New Granada. Phenotype referred to physical appearance. Culture included customs, traditions, and social practices. Legal and political status was determined by abolishing 'encomiendas' and establishing 'resguardos.' The relative importance of each factor could vary based on context and individual experience.

What role did 'resguardos' play in shaping indigenous identity and governance, and how did their implementation differ between the Andean region and the Caribbean Coast?

'Resguardos' transformed indigenous villages into political entities within the monarchy, ensuring rights like control of governance structures (governors, captains, indigenous councils) and communal lands. In the Caribbean Coast, 'resguardos' were formalized later due to elite resistance and dynamics. They served to redefine subordination and assert state control over indigenous populations and local elites, reflecting a complex interplay of power and negotiation.

What tensions led to the erosion of indigenous identity in the Bolívar Grande region during the latter half of the 19th century, and how did the concept of 'mestizaje' contribute to this?

In the latter half of the 19th century, indigenous identity in the Bolívar Grande region faced a tension that gradually eroded it. This tension stemmed from the ideology of 'mestizaje' (the desire to create a unified national identity) and the ambivalence of authorities toward recognizing indigenous communities. As Colombia sought to forge a cohesive national identity, the distinctiveness of indigenous identities was often downplayed or assimilated, impacting their recognition and rights.