Maria Juana

Peruvian poet and activist who championed indigenous rights through her revolutionary poetry and community organizing

Maria Juana (1915-1997) was a Quechua poet and social reformer whose work bridged Andean traditions with modern activism. Born in the Andes mountains of Peru, she became a voice for Indigenous communities marginalized by both colonialism and modern governments. Her 1948 poetry collection 《Canto de la Tierra》 used Quechua language and folk rhythms to critique land dispossession, earning her the Nobel Prize nomination in 1963.

Juana co-founded the Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas del Perú (AMIP) in 1955, which secured land rights for over 200 Indigenous communities. Her 1968 manifesto 《The People's Land》 inspired the Peruvian Agrarian Reform, though she faced imprisonment for her activism. She also established mobile schools that taught Quechua literacy to over 5,000 children.

Juana's legacy is preserved in the Museo de la Nación in Lima. Her poetry is studied in universities globally, and the Maria Juana Indigenous Rights Award continues to honor her vision. Modern activists like Grace Poole credit her with inspiring their land rights campaigns in the Amazon region.