Colombia: Champeta Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage – plenglish.com

Report on the Safeguarding of Champeta and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A Special Safeguarding Plan for the Colombian cultural movement of Champeta has received official approval. Following this development, the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge is set to issue a declaration recognizing the multifaceted nature of this cultural expression. The plan, presented by the Roztro Foundation of Cartagena, establishes a technical and community-based pathway to ensure its preservation, highlighting that Champeta encompasses not only music and dance but also 11 associated artistic forms. This initiative formally acknowledges Champeta as a core component of Caribbean identity.

Cultural Significance and Origins

Champeta is a cultural genre that emerged during the 1970s within the working-class and Afro-Colombian communities along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, particularly in Cartagena de Indias. It serves as a significant expression of cultural identity and social resistance for these communities. Its key characteristics include:

• Musical Influences: A synthesis of African genres such as soukous, African rumba, and highlife, combined with Caribbean rhythms like reggae, calypso, and dancehall.
• Instrumentation: A modern sound incorporating percussion, bass, electric guitar, synthesizers, and keyboards.
• Dance Style: An energetic and uninhibited form characterized by distinct hip movements and coordinated steps.
• Lyrical Themes: Narratives often focus on daily life, social struggles, resistance, empowerment, and community identity, frequently utilizing local and colloquial language.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The formal safeguarding of Champeta makes a direct and significant contribution to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative aligns with global development objectives by leveraging cultural heritage as a driver for inclusive and sustainable progress.

1. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By valuing and protecting a cultural expression originating from historically marginalized Afro-Colombian communities, this initiative actively promotes social inclusion and works to reduce inequalities. It validates the cultural contributions of these populations as integral to the national identity.
2. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The Special Safeguarding Plan is a direct implementation of SDG Target 11.4, which calls to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” This action preserves the unique cultural fabric of Cartagena and the Caribbean region, making its communities more inclusive and sustainable.
3. SDG 4 (Quality Education): The preservation and promotion of Champeta provide an invaluable educational resource, offering insights into Afro-Colombian history, social resistance, and cultural identity. This contributes to a more inclusive and diverse curriculum and promotes lifelong learning about cultural heritage.
4. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Recognizing Champeta as a protected cultural asset creates and sustains economic opportunities for artists, musicians, dancers, and entrepreneurs within the creative industries. This fosters inclusive economic growth and decent work rooted in local culture.
5. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The governmental action, in partnership with community organizations like the Roztro Foundation, exemplifies the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. It acknowledges and legitimizes the narratives of struggle and resistance embedded in Champeta, contributing to social justice.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the recognition of Champeta as a cultural expression in Colombia connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on culture, identity, and inclusion.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is relevant because the article focuses on safeguarding cultural heritage. The recognition and preservation of Champeta, a cultural movement that originated in the “working-class neighborhoods and Afro-Colombian communities of Cartagena de Indias,” directly contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive and culturally rich.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article highlights that Champeta is an “expression of the cultural identity and social resistance of Afro-Colombian communities.” By officially recognizing and protecting this art form, the state is promoting the social and cultural inclusion of a historically marginalized group, thereby addressing inequalities.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This goal is connected through the effort to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. The article mentions the goal is to ensure “people don’t just understand champeta as a dance or as music” but as a multifaceted cultural universe. This aligns with educating the public and fostering an appreciation for culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

  This target is directly addressed through the creation and presentation of the “Special Safeguarding Plan,” which is described as a “document that outlines the technical, community, and cultural pathway to ensure that these expressions remain alive.” The involvement of the “Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge” further underscores the official effort to protect this cultural heritage.

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

  The official recognition of Champeta, a cultural movement deeply rooted in the “identity of the Caribbean” and specifically “Afro-Colombian communities,” is a clear action promoting the social and cultural inclusion of this ethnic group. The article emphasizes its role in expressing “struggles, resistance, empowerment, and the identity of working-class communities,” making its official safeguarding an act of empowerment.

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through… appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

  The Ministry’s announcement that the declaration will recognize Champeta’s relationship with “11 other artistic expressions present within its universe” is an effort to educate the public and promote a broader appreciation of its cultural diversity and significance. This initiative aims to change perceptions so that Champeta is understood not just as music but as a complex cultural identity, contributing to the goals of Target 4.7.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not provide quantitative data for official SDG indicators, it mentions specific actions and plans that serve as qualitative or implied indicators of progress.

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.4:

  The primary indicator is the development and implementation of a formal plan to protect cultural heritage. The article explicitly mentions the “presentation of the Special Safeguarding Plan” led by the Roztro Foundation. The existence and execution of this plan can be used as a measure of the effort being made to safeguard Champeta.

• Implied Indicator for Target 10.2:

  An indicator for progress is the official government recognition of cultural expressions from marginalized communities. The article states that the “Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge announced that a declaration will be issued recognizing” Champeta. This official declaration serves as a concrete indicator of the promotion of social and cultural inclusion for Afro-Colombian communities.

• Implied Indicator for Target 4.7:

  An indicator is the creation of policies or public initiatives aimed at promoting a broader understanding of cultural heritage. The Ministry’s plan to issue a declaration that highlights Champeta’s connection to “11 other artistic expressions” is an educational initiative. The content of this declaration and its dissemination can be used to measure progress in promoting the appreciation of cultural diversity.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: plenglish.com