Happy International Day Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 || Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact

International Day Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples

Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact

The Angolan context

On December 23, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared in its resolution 49/214 that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People would be observed annually on August 9. This date commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.

The 2024 International Day is being observed online on Friday, August 9, with this year's theme focusing on "Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact."

Today, we are reflecting on the identities and urgent challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and those in initial contact. We also call on everyone to share progress on how their rights can be effectively recognized and protected.

There are an estimated 476 million indigenous people across 90 countries worldwide. They represent less than 5% of the global population but account for 15% of the poorest. They speak the majority of the world’s approximately 7,000 languages and embody 5,000 distinct cultures.

Indigenous peoples are custodians of unique cultures and have distinctive ways of relating to others and the environment. They have preserved social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that set them apart from the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural diversity, indigenous peoples around the world face common challenges in protecting their rights as distinct groups.

A Glimpse into the Mumuila Tribe in Angola

Over the past few years, Sofonie Dala has been tirelessly working to identify and engage with indigenous communities dispersed across Angola, particularly the women of the Mumuila tribe. These women often struggle with communication in Portuguese and face discrimination in urban areas, leading to difficulties in selling their products, such as oil. Many are forced to migrate to major cities due to hunger, drought, and poverty, where they also face the threat of sexual abuse.

To address these challenges, the startup Talentos Multiplus, led by Sofonie Dala, has created a socio-economic inclusion platform specifically for Mumuila tribe women and girls dispersed throughout Angola. This initiative aims to support their integration and uplift their living conditions, providing them with opportunities and protection.

Mumuila Tribe Ladies 

Indigenous peoples’ communities are tightly bound to key elements of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).

Video on demand 

Ladies good afternoon!

Good afternoon.

What's your name?

My name is Elisa

And you?

My name is Ana.

What province did you come from?

We came from Lubango.

Why did you come to Luanda?

We came to sell oil.

What kind of oil is this and for what purpose?

This is mupeke oil and this is dibaleia oil.

Mupeke oil can be put in the hair, and dibaleia oil can be used to massage the body and relieve pain.

How is life here in Luanda? Is it easy or hard?

Well, this business is not paying off, people are not buying.

Did you bring a lot of oil from Lubango?

Yes we brought a lot of oil but it is not yielding, this business is slow, everything is stagnant.

Here in Luanda where do you live?

We live in Bem-fica.

From Bem-fica to here? Too far?

And how do you live in the Bem-fica? Is there a big house where you all reside?

We are living with a countrywoman of ours.

So you came to the municipality of Cazenga to try to market the mupeke oil business that is not being profitable?

Yes, yes we are trying to spread our business.

Is this your baby?

Yes.

Do you have husbands?

Yes, the husbands stayed in Lubango.

Your husbands stayed there to graze animals, didn't they?

Yes, they are taking care of the land.

These women abandoned their land because of famine and drought in southern Angola. They came to Capital Luanda, looking for better living conditions. But the reality here in the city is much more cruel, they face discrimination and social exclusion, many have been victims of sexual violence.

They usually sell traditional oils, mupeke oil for hair and dibaleia (cow fat) oil for body massage, but due to social discrimination, this business is not profitable and they end up begging and wandering around the city of Luanda. 

These women live a life of extreme poverty in the country's capital, face discrimination and social exclusion, which makes it difficult for them to earn income from their business.

Sometimes stopping to talk to them and buy one of their products, even if you don't need it, is an act of solidarity that can raise these women's self-esteem and make them feel useful and valued.

The Mumuila people are people from the ‘Nhaneca-humbi’ ethno-linguistic group spread throughout the province of Huila.

They are one of the peoples who still maintain their ancient customs and traditions. Many people are unaware of its existence. The Mumuilas are cattle breeders, which is their main source of livelihood.

Circulating in the city's arteries or positioned in the streets and markets, children, girls and adult women, mumuilas arouse the curiosity of anyone, especially visitors, forcing them to make a short stop.

Generally, the ladies have part of the body adorned with samakaka cloths, typical braids, the neck surrounded with beads of various colors, which also serve to adorn the head, neck, trunk, where the necklaces are placed forming the mathematical sign of times (X), as well as bracelets representing the local transcendental cultural wealth, to be preserved and valued.

On the streets, they sell natural teas and mumpeke and Ngundi oil to vitaminize the hair. Naked, by cultural imperative, these women attract the eyes of most tourists, some unaware of the uses and customs of the Nyaneka-Nhkumbi ethno-linguistic group.

Indigenous peoples play a unique and valuable role in ensuring the sustainable management of a significant share of the world’s lands, ecosystems and biodiversity. Indeed, the territories of indigenous peoples are home to 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.

Equally important, the food systems of indigenous peoples are anchored in sustainable livelihoods and the principle of ensuring the food sovereignty and well-being of communities.

It is therefore an especially unfortunate reality that indigenous peoples are among the people most likely to be left behind – poverty rates among the world’s estimated 476 million indigenous peoples are significantly higher than for populations at large – as a result of discrimination, historic injustices, and inability (or, in some cases, lack of political willingness) to protect their internationally enshrined rights to their lands and territories.

As a result of indigenous peoples’ strong engagement in the process towards the 2030 Agenda, the final resolution “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”  (A/RES/70/1) refers to indigenous peoples 6 times, three times in the political declaration; two in the targets under Goal 2 on Zero Hunger (target 2.3) and Goal 4 on education (target 4.5) – and one in the section on follow up and review that calls for indigenous peoples’ participation. 

In addition to the above-mentioned goals on hunger, the environment and climate, and peaceful societies, in contexts where issues related to the exclusion of indigenous peoples from the benefits of development – and failure to uphold their rights – are not adequately addressed, it will be impossible to end poverty (SDG 1), achieve gender equality (SDG 5) or reduce inequalities (SDG 10). 

Indigenous peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.

In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.