“Raizalization” in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Old Providence, and St. Ketlina in Colombia: Impacts of migration restrictions in identity-making of the Raizal People

This paper examines the impact of migration law on the identity-making process of the Raizal people in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Old Providence, and St. Ketlina, Colombia.[1] By analysing the 1991 migration restrictions, this paper argues that the law has played a central role in the "raizalization" process, whereby a fluid creole identity became increasingly fixed through legal, political, and cultural interactions. Drawing on theories of identity politics and ethno-racial categorization, this paper demonstrates how migration law interacts with self-understanding and political campaigning to crystallize Raizal identity. It highlights how law not only shapes identity but is also influenced by political and social processes, revealing the dynamic and evolving nature of identity politics in the Archipelago. [1] Throughout this paper, I will use the name of the Archipelago in Creole—San Andrés, Old Providence, and St. Ketlina—rather than its official name in Spanish, recognized by the Colombian government. This choice is intended to acknowledge the Raizal people, their language, and their cultural heritage, which are central to the identity-making processes discussed in this paper. Using the Creole names aligns with the community's self-identification and highlights the significance of preserving their cultural autonomy and distinctiveness within the broader Colombian context.