Fishing on the Lempa River
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
Addressing human rights in the wake of human tragedy
The Unfinished Sentences Testimony Archive is composed of oral histories shared by 48 people who were residents of the community of Arcatao, in the department of Chalatenango, El Salvador, during the period of the Salvadoran civil war. More than 170 interview excerpts tell the story of the civil war from the perspective of people who experienced it first-hand. The testimonies are organized into thematic “Chapters” that focus on different aspects of the conflict in roughly chronological order.
Due to the nature of the experiences discussed in the testimonies, users may find the contents of the archive disturbing: topics include rape, torture, death, and severe hardship. On the other hand, the archive also features narratives of resilience, survival, and mutual assistance in triumphing over adversity.
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
Cástulo shares his thoughts on the causes of the war, the injustices and oppression he witnessed, and how that fueled political organization.
Adán remembers the financial hardship experienced by his family when he was a child and which kept him from attending school.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Santiago lists some of the rural political organizations which were present in Chalatenango.
Nelson describes the brutality with which six women, four pregnant, were killed by the military in the El Rincón massacre.
Obdulio explains the reasons that led people to organize.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Otilia recounts the killing of her father in a military ambush during the “May Guinda” while she and the rest of her family fled for their lives.
Virginia remembers the “May Guinda” and how she and her children managed to survive.
Arminda relates how her family migrated to Honduras and lived among the Honduran population.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Lucía describes how people were organized at the Mesa Grande refugee camp and why she finally decided to return home.
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.
Amanda decides to flee with her children to the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras after her husband was killed in 1986.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Trinidad tells how she was informed of son’s death in the guerrilla, and she describes a back injury that she suffered due to a mortar explosion.
Rufino explains that he lost his hand during a training exercise with the guerrilla, but continued to serve as a combatant and bodyguard.
Cástulo describes the kind of organized labor the guerrilla carried out during guindas in order to support the civilian population.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Obdulio describes the war left Arcatao without priests, and community-trained teachers (called “popular teachers”) began to emerge around 1987.
Jorge describes his capture during the “El Carreño” operation in 1986.
Esperanza describes the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, and relates how children were interrogated by the military.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Trinidad explains the military did not fully abide by the Peace Accords during the resettlment process.
Juana urges governments around the world to prevent the destruction and pain caused by war.
Celestino remembers the process that led to the Peace Accords and why it was difficult for the guerrillas to agree to give up their arms.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Rosa reflects on the importance of historical memory.
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Dionisa demands justice and accountability for those who committed crimes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice