Between Grains and Memories: An Approach to the Collective Memory of Colombian Coffee Growers in the 20th Century

Abstract

Addressing the memory of Colombian coffee growing allows us to make visible the individual and collective experiences that have been omitted from the national historiography, but which undoubtedly contributed, directly or indirectly, to the consolidation of the country's coffee industry. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to present an in-depth analysis of the economic, social and cultural practices related to Colombian coffee growing in the 20th century, taking as a case study the traditional cultivation techniques that were carried out in the municipality of Pandi, Cundinamarca during this period. The objective is to describe those events of the past that, in the present, have become elements of remembrance for the members of this community and thus be able to recognize their beliefs, customs, knowledge, ways of being, struggles, resistances, among other factors that are the product of social interactions and the collective fabric. Using the narrative approach as a research methodology and through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, the aim was to delve deeper into the life experiences that some senior citizens had in relation to this historical context. Among the results obtained, it is noteworthy that the events that are the subject of recollection reflect an interrelationship between historical events on a local, regional and national scale. Finally, it is possible to identify both the common ground and the tensions, the opportunities and the social inequalities within the group.