The Embera Tribe of Colombia

These are the beautiful Embera people, an indigenous group native to the Choco region of Colombia. They traditionally live in rural communities, but due to armed conflict many are fleeing their hometowns into the nearby city of Medellín for refuge. Adapting to urban life presents many challenges for them, such as language differences, lack of work experience and education, and extreme poverty. The women spend much of their time selling handmade jewelry in the streets to get by.

We visited the neighborhood of Niquitao, an area ridden with violence, drugs, crime, and poverty, where a large population of the Embera have settled in tenements. We were guided by Beth and Travis Burkhalter, an American missionary couple serving the Embera community through their organization, Casa Embera, dedicated to meeting the needs and improving the quality of life of this tribe. It was amazing to see the ways they have committed themselves to learning and embracing the Embera culture, while finding creative ways to instill faith and hope in their hearts.

These photos are a reminder of the strength, resilience, beauty, and courage I witnessed in my time with the Embera people. My prayer is that they will one day be able to return to their homes with a renewed joy and hope for the future without having to fear for their safety.