EPM Library, education space for the Emberá Katío indigenous community, Colombia

Abstract

The Emberá indigenous community is one of the most important ethnic groups in Colombia. This has suffered a high violation of their human rights by the permanent bombings and confrontations carried out in their territories. Due to this situation, several families of the Emberá Katío ethnic group have moved through the Colombian territory, and one of the places of settlement has been the Comuna 10, better known by the name of La Candelaria, of the municipality of Medellín, in Colombia. Therefore, the EPM Library, located throughout the city center, has become a protection space and a point of reference in strengthening the training scenarios for boys and girls Emberá Katío, through workshops and art activities which include the playful and cultural aspect. This article analyzes the interviews conducted with public employees, professionals and technologists of the EPM Library, who highlight the needs of this minority group; also, the need to rescue, sustain and transmit the linguistic, ancestral and artistic knowledge of that ethnic community is emphasized.