“Death and the River”, a multimedia exhibit of video and photographs, tells the haunting yet life affirming story of unknown victims of Colombia’s drug wars. Visual Artist Juan Manuel Echavarria documents a tomb (left) in Puerto Berrio, Colombia where unidentified cadavers found in the nearby Magdalena River are laid to rest. Each compartment of the tomb is marked “N.N.”, or Ningun Nombre - No Name. The victims can then be “escogido“, or chosen, by someone in the community who agrees to take care of their grave. The caretaker will decorate the gravesite, pray for the departed’s soul, sometimes even give the victim a name.

Part of this unique ritual involves a local superstition; if one does good deeds for these unknown dead, they will in turn receive favors in their own life. In exchange for these favors the caretaker will place on the grave a marble slate saying “Thank you N.N. for the favor received.” But beyond being a simple quid pro quo with the dead, the ritual also helps restore a sense of community to a region ripped apart by the endless violence of the narcotics trade. In the words of the artist:

“On one level, the living make a business-like proposition with the dead: In return for a favor, I will keep up your tomb, decorate it, paint it, bring a glass of water so your soul will not be thirsty, bring you flowers, humanize you by giving you a name. But collectively they are saying, we won’t let the violence erase you, we snatch you away from those who have made you disappear, we take care of you, we give you names. Their pact with the dead resists the perpetrators of violence and reconstructs the social fabric.”

You can watch Juan Manuel Echavarria’s video of “Death and the River”, narrated by the artist, below:

You can by learning more about Fundacion Pies Descalzos, an NGO devoted to improving the lives of the children of Colombia. Pies Calzados focuses on improving the education, nutrition, and happiness of Colombia’s children with programs that include school construction, providing healthy meals, and organizing recreational activities amongst many more.