Juan Sebastián Gómez-García
Juan is a Colombian interdisciplinary researcher at the intersection of anthropology, dance, and movement. Juan explores the intricate interplay between bodily practices and broader sociocultural contexts, including perspectives of decolonization, feminism, queer theory, and peacebuilding. Currently, as a joint doctoral researcher, Juan investigates the corporeal dimensions of peacebuilding in post-war Colombia and delves into the critical issues of ethics, risk, and safety within dance research. Juan's research aims to explore how movement can be a catalyst for collective action, future-making, and transformative change in the face of today's complex challenges.
Articles by Juan Sebastián Gómez-García
The Strange History of Why North Is Always UpSouth-up maps are challenging traditional views of the Earth—and the political and cultural beliefs that go with them.
How the Spanish Spread Christianity in the AmericasSpanish conquistadors and missionaries spread Catholicism over a vast continent, with a profound impact on its Indigenous peoples.
Spanish conquistadors and missionaries spread Catholicism over a vast continent, with a profound impact on its Indigenous peoples.
What Are the Mayan Codices?Ancient books that escaped Spanish destruction, the Mayan Codices reveal the civilization’s advanced knowledge of religion, astronomy, and time.
Ancient books that escaped Spanish destruction, the Mayan Codices reveal the civilization’s advanced knowledge of religion, astronomy, and time.
Old World vs. New World: Time to Abolish These Outdated Concepts?The terms “Old World” and “New World” have been used to conceptualize the global landscape since Columbus “discovered” the Americas. Are they still valid today?
The terms “Old World” and “New World” have been used to conceptualize the global landscape since Columbus “discovered” the Americas. Are they still valid today?
How Did the Columbian Exchange Change the World?The arrival of European colonizers in the Americas had significant biological and cultural consequences stemming from the interchange of goods, ideas, diseases, crops, and humans themselves.
The arrival of European colonizers in the Americas had significant biological and cultural consequences stemming from the interchange of goods, ideas, diseases, crops, and humans themselves.
What Is Latin America? Definition, History, & the Rise of “Abya Yala”Explore a brief history of what is today called “Latin America” and the geographical, cultural, and geopolitical characteristics that define this diverse region.
Hispanic & Latino: Meaning, History, and Best Practices of the TermsBreaking down the history and meaning of the terms Hispanic, Latino, and other cultural identity markers used—often incorrectly—in the Western Hemisphere.
Breaking down the history and meaning of the terms Hispanic, Latino, and other cultural identity markers used—often incorrectly—in the Western Hemisphere.
Fordlandia & 20th-Century Colonialism in the Amazon RainforestHenry Ford’s ambition to streamline automobile production and impose his personal brand of morality on employees led to a modern-day colonization project in the Amazon.
Pre-Columbian Megaliths: A Hidden Legacy of the AmericasThe study of ancient cultures’ large rock constructions is primarily focused on Europe—but megalithic architecture also abounds on the American continent and merits further study.
The study of ancient cultures’ large rock constructions is primarily focused on Europe—but megalithic architecture also abounds on the American continent and merits further study.
Zangbeto: Get to Know Voodoo’s Whirling Spirit DanceZangbeto, a prominent West African voodoo dance, features a swirling spirit covered by layers of palm leaves and hay that awes locals and tourists alike.
Chili Pepper’s Fiery History: The Berry That Conquered the WorldChili peppers were domesticated in Central and South America thousands of years ago and later integrated into culinary traditions worldwide.
Chili peppers were domesticated in Central and South America thousands of years ago and later integrated into culinary traditions worldwide.
The Mythical Green Anaconda of the Amazon RainforestThe green anaconda is a colossal snake found in the Amazon rainforest and a central figure in the region’s mythical and cosmological life.
The green anaconda is a colossal snake found in the Amazon rainforest and a central figure in the region’s mythical and cosmological life.