Victimhood: an approach from the reparation process on Ixhil area in northwestern Guatemala

Abstract

This text includes an abstract of my doctoral research on the construction of victimhood at the Ixhil area, a post conflict region in Guatemala. The method used to account this psychosocial process was ethnography, mainly focused on the population’s relief practices. Throughout 40 weeks, I observed, asked, and shared with the people their experiences during the war, as well as their future expectations. However, to consider themselves as victims is a complex issue to deal with, because it refers to a persuasive device to access for help and resources instead of being use as a descriptive or identifying category. Therefore, empirical evidence has found that the construction of victimhood in this region is related to some diseases currently suffered by the population; to the poverty in which they survive, and the vulnerability and exclusion subjected by the State. All of this turns more evident when people try to get aid from welfare programs, such as the Programa Nacional de Resarcimiento PNR (translated as the National Compensation Program) a place where their speeches of victims seem to be reproduced and reinforced.