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Colombia - Indigenous Peoples

Last modified: 2025-10-04 by daniel rentería
Keywords: colombia | zambos |
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Overview

In Colombia, both "reserva indígena" (English: indigenous reserve) and "resguardo indígena" (English: indigenous reservation) refer to the ancestral territories of Indigenous communities, but with legal and administrative nuances. "Indigenous reservation" is a more precise and legal term, designated by the State as the inalienable, imprescriptible, and unseizable collective property of an Indigenous community, with a title granting rights to that territory. "Indigenous reserve," although also referring to a territory, can refer to an area delimited for mining activities, or to a territory with special characteristics for communities that do not yet have a legally established reservation.

So in accordance with the current country's Constitution of 1991, which stipulates on Article 63 that the "tierras de resguardo" (reservation lands) are collectively owned goods for public use and are therefore protected by the State and also Article 329 which indicates the establishment of "entidades territoriales indígenas" (indigenous territorial entities), recognition and autonomy has been granted at some level.

The Decree 1088 of June 10, 1993 regulates the Councils and/or Traditional Indigenous Authorities. Its predecessor is the Law 89 of November 25, 1890.

However these indigenous territorial entities have not been able to be enacted due to the absence of an overall Organic Law on Territorial Planning. In its absence, the government has then issued Decrees, mainly the Decree 1953 of 7 October 2014 allowing the establishment of special regimes for the administration of indigenous territories, authorizing the management of their own systems.

Despite the lack of regulations, some indigenous territories have initiated processes to be recognized as ETI's (Entidades Territoriales Indígenas; or Territorial Indigenous Entities), submitting applications and forming CI's/CTI's (Indigenous Councils/Territorial Indigenous Councils).

In their quest for recognition and autonomy, the indigenous communities) accomplished this mainly by the issuing of Decree 2164 of December 7, 1995 which regulates all the measures to be taken in order to establish a reservation properly.

The approximate current number of registered "resguardos" in 26 of the 32 Departments is between 967 and 1000+ depending on the sources. Sources: [1], [2], and [3].

There's also the existence of "Cabildos Indígenas" ( Indigenous Councils), which are special public entities whose members are elected by an Indigenous community to legally represent it and exercise its authority, according to its customs and traditions, and the laws that apply to it. It is a form of traditional sociopolitical organization that seeks to preserve the community's culture and territory. They are mainly:
- Cabildo Menor (Minor Council), usually a smaller and local government body.
- Cabildo Mayor (Major Council), covers a broader jurisdiction and can represent several communities or reservations.

As for the proper denomination, the word "pueblo" is used to denominate their ethnicity or race. Hence, it is usually accepted that word before the respective ehtnicity's denomination (i.e. "Pueblo Nasa", which describes the Nasa peoples). The previous generally accepted denomination was "tribu" (tribe). In more recent times also the word "nación (nation) is at times used as well. In a much broader sense then, the categories and/or denominations are: "pueblos, naciones, comunidades y tribus originarios". That would be: the original peoples, nations, communities and tribes.

There are a total of 115 peoples, which are between 1.9 and 5 million people, which represent about 2-10% of the country's population, with the most populous being the Wayúu and the Department of Guajira. Source: [1].
Esteban Rivera, 21 August 2025

Native Peoples of Colombia

[Native Peoples in Colombia] image by António Martins-Tuválkin , 3 July 2009

Above flag is used for the native peoples of Colombia.
Jaume Ollé, 30 November 1996

This flag is listed under number 199 at the chart "Flags of Aspirant Peoples" [asp] as : "Indian Tribes of Colombia - Colombia."
Ivan Sache , 16 September 1999

This flag is the representation of primarily the Guambiano or Misak tribe, but it also represents Colombian South Western native peoples. The Guambiano people are mainly based in the Municipality of Silvia (Department of Cauca), but also on the Department of Huila. Cauca is one of Colombia's Departments that is most populated by native people.
E.R., 11 November 2007

Asociación de Cabildos y Autoridades Tradicionales Indí­genas de la Selva de Matavén (ACATISEMA)

[ACATISEMA] image located by Valentin Poposki, 26 February 2021

Asociación de Cabildos y Autoridades Tradicionales Indí­genas de la Selva de Matavén has its own flag. This is association of indian local governments in the Department of Vichada.

https://elmorichal.com/2019/06/02/7006/
https://www.facebook.com/ACATISEMA/photos/1042983839379885
Valentin Poposki, 26 February 2021

Asociación de Cabildos y Autoridades Tradicionales Unión de Indígenas de Guainía y Vichada (ASOCAUNIGUVI)

[ASOCAUNIGUVI] image by Daniel Rentería, 19 April 2024
Based on https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=217156367303324&set=a.217156327303328

The organization has a strong focus on indigenous rights in Vichada and Guainía. Its flag is green over blue. Centered on it is the organization's coat of arms. Above the coat of arms is the text "ASOCIACION DE CABILDOS Y AUTORIDADES TRADICIONALES UNION DE INDIGENAS DE GUAINIA Y VICHADA"; below is the abbreviation "ASOCAUNIGUVI".
Daniel Rentería, 19 April 2024

Coat of Arms

[ACATISEMA] From https://fundacionetnollano.org/nuestros-aliados

Colombian Indigenous National Organization (ONIC)

[Colombian Indigenous National Organization] image by Eugene Ipavec, 8 May 2009

image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 June 2009

I've spotted the flag of the ONIC (Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia, Colombian Indigenous National Organization) "an organization
representing the indigenous peoples of Colombia, who comprise some 800,000 people or approximately 2% of the population. The organization was founded at the first National Indigenous Congress in February 1982, in the Localidad (Suburb) of Bosa, part of Bogotá, with over 1,500 delegates from different indigenous and native groups of Colombia. It is an umbrella organization that hosts some 41 Regional Indigenous Councils around the country, including the CRIC
Sources: English.wikipedia and Spanish.wikipedia
The flag of this organization can be seen at the website of the ICANH (Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia, Colombian Institute of Antropology and History, an organization that depends on the Ministry of Culture).
The flag is the Coat of Arms on an equally horizontally divided three-stripe flag, green (top), red (middle) and yellow (bottom). The Coat of Arms is found here:
The color scheme of the flag is exactly the same as one political party that endorses indigenous interests in Colombia, called ASI. ASI's official website is located here.
E.R., 8 May 2009

A variant of the flag of ONIC, is the logo on a white background.
E.R., 16 June 2009

Congress of the Peoples

[Congress of the Peoples]
image by Zoltan Horvath, 09 April 2014

The Congreso de los Pueblos (Congress of the Peoples) is a social and popular movement focused on improving living conditions in Colombia, working together with indigenous peoples and movements of different origins as well.
Source: http://congresodelospueblos.org/index.php/caminando-al-cntts-congreso-nacional-de-tierras-territorios-y-soberanias/congreso
For additional information go to: Congreso de los Pueblos (official website) 
Esteban Rivera, 09 April 2014

The flag is an orange horizontal flag with the logo and name in black as seen here.
Image is screenshot taken yesterday from Hora 13 Noticias local news, during a video TV report of the World Urban Forum VII by UN Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) in Medellín.
Esteban Rivera, 09 April 2014

Nasa peoples

Nasa flag Source: Facebook

Here there's some photos of the flag, green over red. The flag can be also see in other pages. Nasa are the second most important indigenous nation in Colmbia (300.000 people)
Jaume Ollé, 20 December 2023

Organización Indígena de Antioquia (Antioquia's Indigenous Organization)

[Organización Indígena de Antioquia] image by Eugene Ipavec, 03 April 2012

The OIA (Organización Indígena de Antioquia, Antioquia's Indigenous Organization)  was established in 1985 and represents the interests of the indigenous people of the Department of Antioquia  regarding autonomy, land, culture and unity. The OIA is affiliated to the ONIC
Source: http://www.oia.org.co/resena.html
Image of flag (screenshot of live streaming of Hora 13 Noticias, local news, taken on March 30, 2012)
The coat of arms of the OIA can be found here:
(Source: http://maderasalvaje.blogspot.com/2011/06/comunicado-de-la-oia-organizacion.html
For additional information go to: OIA (official website).
Esteban Rivera, 31 March 2012

Firstly I was confused where this logo was placed. This picture clearly shows that emblem is not placed at center of the flag, but on separation line of green and yellow stripes.
Zoltan Horvath, 01 April 2012

That is a strange seal placement (and it's not one of those 45-deg rotated seals either). I wonder if this isn't an upside-down Colombia-style 1:1:2 flag?.
Eugene Ipavec, 02 April 2012

I have found an other image taken during a demostration or something like this. It is clearly visible, that there are only three stipes , blue, green and yellow, and no more.  But stripes are equal, they do not follow the Colombian national flag pattern. However there are at least two versions of this flag, the emblem is centered of green stripe in this case.
Zoltan Horvath, 03 April 2012

Well, maybe not quite true. This is another shot of the same room, as far as I can tell. (Source: http://gunadule.blogspot.nl/p/plan-de-salvaguarda.html.)
The blue is visible at the top, which allows determining the width of the green stripe. But then from comparing that width with the yellow field, it's obvious that there's too much yellow there to be a stripe of the same height as the green.
I'd say the emblem is indeed on the separation line of green and yellow, but it's also placed in the centre as the yellow stripe must be twice the height of the green, and so would form the entire lower half of the flag.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 17 November 2012

Plus, in the screen shot mentioned, would there really be that much yellow visible at the hoist if the emblem were 2/3rd down?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 17 March 2013

Variant of OIA flag

[Organización Indígena de Antioquia] image by Zoltan Horvath, 01 April 2012

IMHO seems that can be a fourth stripe not visible in the photo (I suggest as colour the white or the red). Several indigenous flags in Colombia are of four stripes; someone of three stripes but, as pointed by Eugene the seal placement is very strange for a three striped flag.
In Flag Report #67 will be published about one hundred of indigenous organizations and anyone has a construction in Colombian pattern, but many are four striped or three striped with centered seal.
Jaume Ollé, 02 April 2012

Speculative variants of OIA flag:
In the indoor photo, the yellow was visible under the table, so no fourth stripe. My first gif from earlier and the two here attached after Jaume's suggestions are however speculative only.
Eugene Ipavec, 03 April 2012

[Organización Indígena de Antioquia] image by Eugene Ipavec, 03 April 2012

[Organización Indígena de Antioquia] image by Eugene Ipavec, 03 April 2012

[Organización Indígena de Antioquia] image by Eugene Ipavec, 03 April 2012

Organización de los Pueblos Indígenas de la Amazonía Colombiana

The Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (Organización de los Pueblos Indígenas de la Amazonía Colombiana -OPIAC) gathers 56 indigenous peoples:
Kurripako, Piapoco, Puinave, Sicuani, Yeral, Bara, Barasana, Carapana, Desano, Nukak, Piratapuyo, Pisamira, Siriano, Taiwano, Tatuyo, Tucano, Suyuka, Wanano, Yurutí, Coreguaje, Coyaima, Embera Katio, Inga, Makaguaje, Kackuas, Jutda, Andoke, Barasana, Bora, Cocama, Inga, Karijona, Kawiyarí, Kubeo, Letuama, Makuna, Matapí, Miraña, Nonuya, Ocaina, Tanimuka, Tariano, Tikuna, Uitoto, Yagua, Yauna, Yukuna, Yuri, Nasa, Guayabero, Piaroa, Awa, Kamentsa, Kofán, Nasa, Siona
The OPIAC was created in 1995 in Mitú, Vaupés. It is part of the COICA (Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica), and OPIAC serves as the Colombian chapter within the COICA.
During the Vth Encuentro Latinoamericano de Gobiernos Locales en Territorios Indígenas (Latin American Meeting of Local Governors of Indigenous Territories) held between October 2nd and 4th in Cartagena, the flag of the OPIAC is seen here  and here.
Source: http://www.opiac.org.co/yetara/ (the OPIAC flag seen here is a white horizontal flag displaying the 18th anniversary logo plus several human hands in color, seen here.)
The regular (or old) flag is a white horizontal flag with the following logo in the middle.
Image is a picture from the Vicepresidencia de Colombia official website, taken on October 2, 2013.
This video is the news report by CM& news during the summit.
For additional information go to OPIAC (official website)
Esteban Rivera, 12 October 2013

Organización de Resguardos Indígenas del Pueblo Awa del Pacífico (ORIPAP)

logo from Facebook, flag photo from Instagram

The "Organización de Resguardos Indígenas del Pueblo Awa del Pacífico (ORIPAP)" or Organization of indigenous reservations of the Awa people of the Pacific is a non government organization to represent this community whose origins are the Departments of Nariño and Putumayo.
Source: onic.org.co

The flag is a horizontal background with four equal horizontal stripes, from top to bottom blue, green, red and white, with the logo in the middle.
Esteban Rivera, 29 April 2025

Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca

[Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca] image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 July 2005

Here is photo of the flag of the CRIC (Consejo Regional Indígena del Cauca, or Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca). The CRIC was established in 1971, in the Municipality of Toribío, Department of Cauca, by native priest Álvaro Ulcué Chocué to defend these minorities' rights (they do not replace civil, judicial, military or economic government authorities).   There is a website which is the homepage of the ACIN, "Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca" (or Assocaition of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, in English), an Association of indigenous authorities sponsored by the CRIC. Inscription is: Unity Justice and Culture.
Source: El Espectador Colombian newspaper.
E. R., 17 June 2005

It represents the following 11 peoples in the Department of Cauca:
- Nasa (Paéz)
- Misak (Guambiano)
- Yanakuna/Yanacuna (Yanaconas)
- Inga (Ingano)
- Embera (Emberá)
- Totoroez (Totoró)
- Eperaara Siapidaara (Emberá related)
- Kishu (Kisgó)
- Ampiule (Ambaló)
- Kokonuko (Coconuco)
- Polindara (Totoró related) Source: cric-colombia.org
Esteban Rivera, 21 August 2025

Regional Indigenous Council of Huila

[Regional Indigenous Council of Huila] [Regional Indigenous Council of Huila] flag image by Daniel Rentería, 27 September 2025
flag photo from Facebook
logo from Facebook
note: logo size is not standardized and can be very big or very small; and centering/the stripe it is placed on often differs.

The "Consejo Regional Indígena del Huila, CRIHU" (Regional Indigenous Council of Huila) was established in December 1999. It represents the Nasa (Paez) peoples, Misak (Guambiano) peoples and Yanakuna/Yanacuna (Yanaconas) peoples in the Department of Huila. Source: [1].

The flag is a horizontal background with four equal horizontal stripes being from top to bottom: red, white, green, and black; with the logo in the center, as displayed on the council's webpage. Often letters are added to the design; the logo differs; etc., but the background of 4 stripes always stays the same. The logo features a spiral in red outline and yellow background with the words "AUTONOMÍA" (AUTONOMY), "CULTURA" (CULTURE), "TERRITORIO" (TERRITORY), and "UNIDAD" (UNITY) clockwise in black capitals, crossed with four batons. In the center is the initials, CRIHU.
Esteban Rivera, 21 August 2025

Variant

This variant depicts text reading CONSEJO REGIONAL INDIGENA DEL HUILA (Indigenous Regional Council of Huila) over green.

[Regional Indigenous Council of Huila] image from crihu.org

[Regional Indigenous Council of Huila] image from Facebook located by Esteban Rivera on 21 August 2025

Text Variant 2

This variant reads VIENTOS DE COMUNICACIÓN (Winds of Communication) arched over white and the motto "La palabra no se detiene" (The word shall not be withheld).

[Regional Indigenous Council of Huila] image from Facebook located by Esteban Rivera on 21 August 2025

2 Emblems Variant

[Regional Indigenous Council of Huila] image from Facebook located by Esteban Rivera on 21 August 2025

Resguardo Indigena de Cano Mochuelo

[Resuardo Indigena de Cano Mochuelo]  [Resuardo Indigena de Cano Mochuelo] images located by Valentin Poposki, 26 February 2021

Resguardo Indigena de Cano Mochuelo (Indian Reservation?) is one of several autonomous Indian local governments in the Department of Casanare, Colombia.

Here are its flag and emblem https://corporacionclaretiana.org/cano-mochuelo/

Valentin Poposki, 26 February 2021

Resguardo Indígena de Origen Colonial Gran Jardín

[Resuardo Indigena de Cano Mochuelo]  [Resuardo Indigena de Cano Mochuelo] images located by Valentin Poposki, 26 February 2021

Resguardo Indí­gena de Origen Colonial Gran Jardín is a local indian government in the Department of Narino. It has its own flag and emblem, described here https://docplayer.es/73777309-Un-trabajo-coordinado-por.html

The meaning of the colors of the flag of the Indigenous Reservation of Colonial Origin Great Garden of the Sierra: White the purity of the Indigenous of the Great Garden of the Sierra Azul Sky, water and skies Emerald Green the mountains adorned with the green carpet of the jungle Black the earth and oil Live Yellow the riches of the region The Eight-Pointed Star or Eight-Pointed Sun is the one that regulates the processes of our lives, it means the force that this transmits to each one of us, to protect us from darkness and thereby be a great fighter full of vitality both internally and externally. The eight-pointed star is a hidden symbol that represents the obtaining or achievement of two crowns. Each crown has four points and when joined in an inverted way they symbolize the union between heaven and earth. The four points of the crown below represent the four coordinates that lead to the earth and the four points of the crown above represent the four coordinates of entry to the heavens. [Google Translation]

Valentin Poposki, 26 February 2021

Resguardo Indígena de Origen Colonial Gran Jardín is a local indian government in the Department of Narino. It has its own flag and emblem, described here https://docplayer.es/73777309-Un-trabajo-coordinado-por.html
The full name is actually Resguardo Indígena de Origen Colonial Gran Jardín de la Sierra, as stated in the above source.

Sources:

[1] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2014-09-23: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[2] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-02-20: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[3] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-03-01: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[4] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-03-01: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[5] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-03-01: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[6] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-04-10: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[7] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-04-10: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[8] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-04-10: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[9] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-04-10: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[10] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-06-20: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[11] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-07-11: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[12] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2015-07-14: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[13] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2016-11-11: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS

[14] Indigenous Self-Government of Gran Jardín de la Sierra at Facebook - Photo posted on 2017-01-28: https://www.facebook.com/AutogobiernoGJS
Tomislav Todorovic, 28 February 2021

Yanacona People's Major Council

[Yanacona People's Major Council] [Yanacona People's Major Council logo] flag image by Daniel Rentería, 27 September 2025
flag photo from Facebook
logo from Facebook

Square variant

[Yanacona People's Major Council logo]
flag photo from Facebook

The "Cabildo Mayor del Pueblo Yanacona" (Yanacona Peoples' Major Council) was formally established in November 1992 although it traces its origins to the 1960's. It is the self governing authority of the Yanakuna/Yanacuna (Yanaconas) peoples, composed of 31 indigenous councils whose presence is registered in 19 (other sources mention 21) Municipalities of six Departments, which are Cauca, Cundinamarca, Huila, Quindío, Putumayo and Valle.
Sources: [1] and [2].

The flag is a square background with two colors, white (top) and green (bottom) with the logo in the middle, the logo being a representation of a cross silhouette in green and black, with a slogan on top reading in Spanish on top "Patrimonio cultural y ambiental del mundo" (Cultural and environmental heritage of the world), with a house and a tree over a pastureland and below "Macizo Colombiano" (Colombian Massif), a designation of a mountain range of the Colombian Andes that covers the departments of Huila, Cauca, Nariño and Putumayo.
Esteban Rivera, 21 August 2025

Yanacona Youth

[Yanacona People's Youth] [Yanacona People's Youth logo] flag image by Daniel Rentería, 27 September 2025
flag photo from Facebook
logo from Facebook

The "Jóvenes Nación Yanakuna" (Yanakuna Nation's Youth) is a movement that aims to represent the younger generations of the Yanakuna/Yanacuna (Yanaconas) peoples in their territory, established ca. 2002. It finds its roots in the 1997 initiative led by the CRIC for the establishment of an indigenous youth movement. Source: [1].
Hence, this program tries to articulate the actions of a much broader national movement in the specific territories which exist.

The flag is a square background with two colors, white (top) and green (bottom) featuring the logo in the middle, with the logo featuring the "Plan de Vida del Pueblo Yanacona" (Yanacona People's Life Plan) which features a cross silhouette with multiple segments in their respective colors (red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue and purple)
Source: [1].
Esteban Rivera, 21 August 2025

Zambos

The flag of the Zambos of Colombia is horizontal fivestriped. B/W Photo was taken but no colors could be identified.
Jaume Ollé, 28 May 2000

In spanish "Zambo" means the son of African ("African American") father or mother and Indian ("Native American") father or mother.
Nicolas Rucks, 6 June 2000