Disrupting Frontier Development from Within: The Latent Geographical Agency of Indigenous Peoples

Abstract

The chapter examines the survival strategies and political reactions of indigenous groups in areas of agricultural frontiers that are informed by cultural symbols, family bonds and land-based responses. It discusses the unique socio-spatial trajectory of indigenous peoples and, in addition, proposes a typology of indigenous spaces. The analysis is focused on the emblematic example of how frontier making was experienced by the Kaiowa-Guarani of South America. The wisdom and resistance of Kaiowa-Guarani groups derive from the simultaneous ethnicisation of space and spatialisation of culture. They have shown latent geographical agency shaped by religious practices, strong family ties and the ability to internally negotiate the return to their original areas. There are many lessons to be learned, in particular, the talent to absorb the increasing and dissimulated brutality of frontier making and, at the same time, voice their political demands, form solid strategic alliances and coordinate land recovery initiatives.