Mecila Working Paper nº 96 – 2026 | La Vida Simple (Simple Life). A Maroon Vision on Development / Nataly Castillo Bennett
Abstract:
Global practices shaped by colonization and modernity have disrupted humanity’s intrinsic connection to nature, resulting in ecological and social crises. Rooted in the colonization of the Americas, colonial inhabitation imposed exploitative relationships with nature and marginalized communities, laying the foundation for the imperial mode of living. Superficial frameworks like green capitalism fail to address this crisis, perpetuating colonial ecocide. In contrast, Afro-Ecuadorian Maroon communities, through la vida simple – a philosophy grounded in African traditions and marronage – offer transformative insights for ecological sustainability and climate justice. This worldview emphasizes harmonious coexistence with nature, as Maroon communities adapted to “uninhabitable” spaces and fostered mutual care with their environment. This paper asks: How can the Afro-Ecuadorian concept of la vida simple inform contemporary approaches to sustainability and climate justice? By examining la vida simple as a counter-hegemonic framework, this study highlights its potential to reshape ecological movements and promote social progress.
Únicamente el texto se puede utilizar bajo licencia Creative Commons Atribución/Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Compartir Igual 4.0 Internacional. Salvo indicación contraria, los demás elementos (ilustraciones, archivos adicionales importados) son "Todos los derechos reservados".
OpenEdition le sugiere que cite este post de la siguiente manera:
REGARDS CNRS (2 de abril de 2026). Mecila Working Paper nº 96 – 2026 | La Vida Simple (Simple Life). A Maroon Vision on Development / Nataly Castillo Bennett. Redial & Ceisal. Recuperado 10 de junio de 2026 de https://doi.org/10.58079/15zsl






