I want to make visible the problems of the ecosystem of these islands, as well as narrate the resilience of its inhabitants who resist the possible disappearance of their homes.
The Jambelí archipelago is a group of five islands on the southern coast of Ecuador, bordering Peru, this is a rural area named after a pre-Hispanic culture that settled there between 500 BC and 500 AD. The parish is made of diverse marine ecosystems, mangroves, and dry forests; its islands constitute a natural barrier that protects the coasts of Puerto Bolívar (the second most important port in the country).
Its beaches are a tourist attraction and the main economic livelihood of its inhabitants.
Contrary to demographic forecasts (last census 2010), its population has decreased drastically the last 10 years due to the strong waves that destroy the buildings (hotels and homes). The rising sea level is "devouring" the islands, causing many people to decide to leave; in addition, there is exploitation by shrimp companies, which represents a major environmental problem for the area due to the destruction of the mangrove swamp; on the other hand, artisanal fishermen and crab workers are constantly besieged by pirates.
Jambelí is the favorite place of my childhood. It is one of the few places where I have family memories (in later years we all migrated to different countries). The idea of this project arises from my personal experience, the proximity of the islands to the hometown of my parents made me travel frequently in my childhood to this area, reason why there is for me a constant awareness of the current situation of its territory and inhabitants.
Although the motivation of that project is based on subjective and emotional factors linked to memory and childhood and family memories, these are linked to social, cultural, climate and environmental factors when learning about the problems that currently besiege the island.
The Jambelí I knew in the '90s does not exist today, that memory is that of An Imaginary Island; in the case of winning this grant I will be able to explore the archipelago and discover vestiges of that past that seemed to be promising, but I will also be able to make visible the problems suffered by its ecosystems and above all, I will be able to narrate the resilience of its inhabitants, what they have done to contribute to the rescue of the islands, how they survive and take care of their home.
There is little public and updated information and documentation about the rural parish of Jambelí, for many years the (informal) denomination of "satellite parish" has created a phantom imaginary of this locality; most Ecuadorians have the tourist reference of the islands but we are ignorant of its history, problems and particular needs; this is why this project is an opportunity to contribute in the construction of a different imaginary.
