Lighting the stove in contexts of violence: Ethnography of community pots in Eastern Cali, Colombia.

Abstract (English)

Cali is a city marked by profound social inequalities, where resource distribution reveals capital accumulation in some sectors and precariousness in others. The eastern region of Cali is particularly affected, characterized by the active absence of the state, stigmatization, and criminalization of its residents. In this context, individuals are compelled to develop survival strategies, with community pots emerging as vital spaces for resilience.
Led primarily by women, these pots are more than places for preparing meals. They serve as hubs of community care, where social networks are forged, spaces are transformed, and food transcends its physiological function. Cooking becomes an act of resistance and solidarity, challenging narratives that reduce food to mere sustenance.
This presentation is based on ethnographic research conducted in several community kitchens in eastern Cali. It highlights how these spaces sustain life amid adversity, revealing the transformative potential of collective food practices. Beyond nutrition, these kitchens foster care, solidarity, and social recognition, making visible the agency of women who lead them.