EP 3 - On the Arabs and Wayuu People in Colombia: A Brief History of Contraband and the End of the XX Century in the Colombian Caribbean

This episode follows Franklin Reynel Bonivento van Grieken as he narrates two connected stories from his family history. Franklin guides listeners through his mother Asseneth’s moves from La Guajira to Medellín and then Bogotá, placing her experiences within the political climate of 1990s Colombia. Asseneth's parts are voiced by Franklin’s friend Manuela Ochoa. Franklin explores the commercial and migratory dynamics of Maicao, including the presence of Arab merchant communities and their ties to the region. The episode outlines how these histories shaped his mother’s path and eventually the circumstances he grew up in.⁠ About the Host: A Humanities PhD candidate at Concordia with a background in anthropology and history, Franklin explores themes of migration, cultural identity, and displacement. As a Wayuu Indigenous descendant and experienced podcaster, his work combines personal narratives with interdisciplinary inquiry. Podcast Theme Music: Many thanks to Moneka Arabic Jazz and Lulaworld Records for allowing us to use the song Mail Shougle as our podcast theme music. Share your comments: We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments, ideas, or proposals at ⁠[email protected]⁠ Special thanks to Concordia University and the IRMS: Special thanks to the Institute for Research on Migration and Society (IRMS) for hosting the podcast, to the Ethnography Lab for studio access, and to the Concordia University Faculty Research Development Program (FRDP) for funding this project.