Suicide in the Jungle: Inside Colombia's Indigenous Embera community

"A young Indigenous Embera woman travels to Colombia's jungle to confront a suicide epidemic in her community. Embera elders often blame malevolent spirits for the deaths of young people, having no word for suicide in their language. Ilsa Banuvi, who was raised between Indigenous tradition and modern society, spearheads organisations that seek to reinforce identity while also recognising the need to adapt."

"Journeying from Quibdo city deep into the Choco jungle, Ilsa examines many challenges the Embera are confronted by and why young women are disproportionately affected. As she takes on culturally sensitive action, a football championship for Indigenous girls offers hope of unity for often isolated communities. But can Ilsa navigate the often paradoxical perspectives and help her people? Suicide in the Jungle is a documentary film by Bruno Federico and Simone Bruno."

Ilsa Banuvi travels from Quibdo into Colombia's Chocó jungle to confront a suicide epidemic affecting the Embera community. Embera elders often attribute the deaths of young people to malevolent spirits and lack a word for suicide in their language. Raised between Indigenous tradition and modern society, Ilsa leads organizations that reinforce cultural identity while acknowledging the need to adapt. She examines the challenges facing the Embera and the reasons young women are disproportionately affected. Ilsa implements culturally sensitive interventions and fosters unity through a football championship for Indigenous girls, aiming to connect isolated communities and offer hope.

Read at www.aljazeera.com