
Rafaga
The Life Story of a Nicaraguan Miskito Comandante
Tod S. Sloan(Editor)
University of Oklahoma Press
Published on 30. October 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
228 pages
978-0-8061-4802-1 (ISBN)
Description
Rafaga is the life story of Reynaldo Reyes, a Miskito Indian born in Nicaragua and a leader of the Miskito people in their struggle for political autonomy and cultural survival. Here Reyes tells of his childhood, his efforts to get an education, and his ordination to the ministry. Swept up by the revolution, Reyes becomes a military man, fighting with the Sandinistas against the National Guard to depose the brutal Somoza regime.
When he realizes the revolution is not helping the Miskitos, Reyes joins his people's resistance against the Sandinista government. Through daring leadership, he quickly emerges as a field commander of the Miskito counterrevolutionary forces, allied with the Contras and funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
But Reyes - known by his nom de guerre, Rafaga - realizes that war is prolonging his people's suffering. Sickened by the corruption among Contra political and military leaders, Rafaga works with Miskito leaders toward peace with the Sandinistas, in hopes of restoring the rights of the Miskito nation.
Much more than a political autobiography or an ethnographic account, Rafaga is the story of a dynamic leader who had the courage for war and the vision for negotiation. It is also the gripping story of the devastation experienced indigenous people in a region undergoing full-scale militarization.
When he realizes the revolution is not helping the Miskitos, Reyes joins his people's resistance against the Sandinista government. Through daring leadership, he quickly emerges as a field commander of the Miskito counterrevolutionary forces, allied with the Contras and funded by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
But Reyes - known by his nom de guerre, Rafaga - realizes that war is prolonging his people's suffering. Sickened by the corruption among Contra political and military leaders, Rafaga works with Miskito leaders toward peace with the Sandinistas, in hopes of restoring the rights of the Miskito nation.
Much more than a political autobiography or an ethnographic account, Rafaga is the story of a dynamic leader who had the courage for war and the vision for negotiation. It is also the gripping story of the devastation experienced indigenous people in a region undergoing full-scale militarization.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oklahoma
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
26 black & white illustrations, 1 map
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
325 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8061-4802-1 (9780806148021)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Reynaldo Reyes was a Miskito Indian born in Nicaragua and a leader of the Miskito people in their struggle for political autonomy and cultural survival.
J. K. Wilson, who holds a master's degree in cultural anthropology, traveled extensively in Nicaragua to prepare this volume.
Tod Sloan, a psychologist who works for social justice, is the author of Life Choices: Understanding Dilemmas and Decisions.
J. K. Wilson, who holds a master's degree in cultural anthropology, traveled extensively in Nicaragua to prepare this volume.
Tod Sloan, a psychologist who works for social justice, is the author of Life Choices: Understanding Dilemmas and Decisions.