How is culture in Latin America influenced by indigenous cultures?

One of the main characteristics of Latin America is its diversity of cultures, peoples, customs, and ethnicities. This plurality of beings and places is what makes the continent so unique and extraordinary.

Indigenous customs are present in the cuisine, in the dances and festivities, in the handicrafts and artefacts, in the music, and in the cultural and social manifestations of everyday life. However, native Latin Americans are still frequently the victims of social exclusion, violence, and hardship.

According to the “Indigenous Latin America in the 21st Century” report published in 2016 by the World Bank, one in four indigenous Latin Americans live in poverty. While indigenous people represent about 8% of the region’s total population, they account for 14% of residents living in poverty.

Even as society progresses, natives still tend to face a struggle for basic rights, and for the participation of indigenous organisations in the social, cultural and political realities of their respective countries.

Now that you know how culture in Latin America is influenced by indigenous cultures, you may be wondering how you can make a difference for this often-excluded population.

Representativeness is fundamental for indigenous people to exercise their role as Latin American citizens. Therefore, advertising campaigns and other content that gives voice to one or more indigenous peoples are extremely welcome.

In addition, companies that do business in Latin America can help with projects that support this population, or even by starting their own campaigns to support local indigenous communities.

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