Indigenismo

Indigenismo is a term used in Latin American studies to describe a set of political, cultural, and intellectual currents that center on indigenous peoples within nation-states. Emerging in the early 20th century amid postcolonial nationalist projects, indigenismo sought to address marginalization by redefining national identity around indigenous histories, languages, and cultures, while also pursuing social and political inclusion for Indigenous communities.

Scholarly and political expressions of indigenismo vary. Cultural indigenismo emphasizes the celebration and incorporation of indigenous cultures into the national culture through literature, art, education, and public monuments. Political indigenismo focuses on rights, representation, land claims, and autonomy within the framework of the state, often advocating for more inclusive governance and public policy. In practice, different countries gave the term different inflections: in Mexico after the Revolution, indigenismo was linked to state-sponsored programs intended to modernize and integrate Indigenous peoples; in some Andean countries, it took a more radical turn, influencing Indigenous movements and literature that highlighted lived realities and calls for social reform.

Key figures and moments vary by country. In Peru, indigenismo has persisted in literary and academic circles, with writers and thinkers examining Indigenous voices within national life. In Bolivia and Ecuador, the idea intersected with broader socialist and Indigenous movements and influenced constitutional debates about plurinational statehood and rights to self-determination.

Criticism of indigenismo centers on potential essentialism, romanticization of Indigenous cultures, or paternalistic policies that mask structural inequalities. Contemporary discussions often emphasize Indigenous autonomy, language rights, and territorial recognition within plural, inclusive states, while recognizing the term’s historical ambiguities.