Berraquera: Catholicism, Liberalism, and Migration—Colombians in Chile

Abstract (English)

In this paper, I explore the concept of 'berraquera', an indigenous Colombian term that conveys tenacity, industriousness, and self-entrepreneurial spirit, through a digital ethnography (Pink, 2015) carried out from 2020 to 2021 . For over fifteen years (Echeverri, 2016), the ideal of being 'berraco' has accompanied Colombian migrants on their journey to Chile, so what is the rol of 'berraquera' in this migration? what can 'berraquera' tell us about the future? I argue that 'berraquera' embodies both Catholic values—such as the imperative to share opportunities and care for others—and liberal ideals of self-improvement and resilience. Ultimately, 'berraquera' articulates a moral stance that justifies migration, and also position people against a state -Colombian and Chilean- perceived as corrupt (Laclau, 2005) and estranged from divine guidance. In this view, it is through the virtuous actions of ordinary people that the state might be steered back toward a righteous path, in this sense 'berraquera' offers an alternative way of development that unlike other alternatives like Vivir Bien (Escobar, 2008).
I start by presenting the idea of 'berraquera' exploring its catholic and liberal edges, then I move on to explore the relationship of 'berraquera' with migration from Colombia to Chile, and finally I conclude with the critique posed by my informants against a corrupted state.