Recording the present for the future

At times it seems that whatever you might do, or even plan to do, is futile. Looking at the larger picture of our project and the stumbling blocks that have already arisen since being out here- we need to find a way of importing equipment into the country without being taxed and that is just one thing- it has crossed my mind that what we are doing might be pointless.
But then you come across people that are truly inspiring and give you a real reason to carry on. Last night we visited a collective called Vivo Arte (Live Art) who have been doing some truly amazing things. They have a recording studio in the centre of Bogota and produce both their own music and music of other bands in the area. But this is only a small part of what they do.
Vivo Arte is a politically active group that is creating creating 'resistance art' and music of resistance. Here in Colombia there are major difficulties in expressing yourself against the official position. Traditionally there has been the path of violence that has lead the country down a long and bloody path which has not reached its end yet. Violence commited by the army and linked paramilitary groups threaten the many indigenous tribes that inhabit land that is of interest to multinational companies. This is something that Colombia has to deal with on a regular basis.
What Vivo Arte are trying to do is to teach a different way to resist what is happening to the people and, in so doing, create a new way of documenting the problems for both current and future generations. Just by doing this they are jeopodizing their own lives.
Another extremely improtant activity that they are involved in is the documentaion of indigenous music. They have been working with various tribes all over Colombia - there are 68 languages spoken in the country and countless tribes - to record their traditional music so that it is not lost. The recorded music acts as an archive and can be used by the tribes to protect their cultural heritage from displacement at the hands of revolutionary and paramilitary forces. Some of the music we heard was amazing and it is difficult to put into words the amazing work that this collective is doing. We were literally blown away. Each time they produce a CD of tribal music they give 500 discs to the tribe so that it can be retained by them as part of their culture. The rest they sell to try and fund the continuation of their project. The work they are doing in this area is so important as without it these languages and cultures could soon be lost forever. These are people that we will try to keep in touch with and hopefully help in the future.
We have set up our studio in a friend's house and tonight we are going to begin teaching people how to use it. Once we have soundproofed the space in the community centre we are going to move the equipment there. Slowly but surely our project is getting off the ground. If we can make a fraction of the difference that Vivo Arte do, then everything will be completely worthwhile.