Bolivian Voices

Original: EL DESEO DE SUPERACION
En Aymara: Wakicht’asiñ amuyu

Mrs. Segundina Inca participates in the literacy program, and I had the chance to speak with her about her experiences. She is from Los Andes Province in the Department of La Paz. She was left orphaned as a child, has four brothers, and as she is the eldest sister she became responsible for the household, because her father found another partner. Later, she had to suffer through the flooding of the Katari River, which washed her house and animals away. Because of that she had to migrate to the city, and here she talks a little bit about her experience in learning to read and write.

I started school for a few months, which they referred to during those time as the preparatory cycle, and one of my teachers asked me what the drawing of a house was, and I responded UTA. The teacher told me that it was not UTA, but it was a house. As I did not know Spanish, I had a lot of problems. However, in spite of that, I had every intention to learn how to read and write. Sometimes when I was with the cattle in the plains, I would draw some letters in the dirt, which were erased very easily. I also drew some figures and numbers on some flat rocks. When I was younger, I looked for people that could teach me to read and write, even offering to pay money. Now with this literacy program, I am learning and I hope to read and write some day because even for something like getting on a mini-bus, one must read the letters of its destination…

Segundina is a very strong person that fights on a daily basis to move forward.

Original: Los Globazos Juego Cruel
In Aymara: Jan waliw umamp jaqusiñ anatañaxa

You can now feel that it is Carnaval in Bolivia. Neither the climate, nor the social conflicts stop people, especially young people to begin to play with water, as they do during these holidays. In the entire country, everyone plays with water (especially boys that throw water on girls), but this does not stop with one drenching. It goes much further, for example in Santa Cruz, they throw them in puddles, something that I don’t like at all, but what can one do?

Here in El Alto, the boys from the UPEA (Public University of El Alto), are already playing with water, and you know who are paying the consequences of this cruel game? Yes, you guessed correctly it is the girls, including me. When I say that it is a cruel game, I say so for the following reasons:

1 – Isn’t it cruel when you fix yourself up and dress nicely to go to the university in order to flirt with a boy that you like or look your best and all of a sudden they drench you and they leave you a disaster?

2 – Isn’t it cruel when you are walking to class and all of sudden you feel a horrible slap on your back or another part of your body, thanks to those deadly water balloons that in addition to getting you wet, even breaks your skin?

3 – Isn’t it cruel when you are walking to the university to fulfill our obligations as a student and all of a sudden one of those water balloons hit directly on your notebooks and textbooks leaving them soaking wet and ruined?

For these and other reasons, I say that these games of water balloons are cruel. On the other hand, I must admit that on the last day of classes before the Carnaval holiday, I enjoy this cruel game because it is not cruel anymore, when you are ready to play with water and ready to exact our revenge on all those boys that made suffer during class.

Original: Ferias y/o Mercados
In Aymara: Coming Soon

In El Alto, there are a large diversity of fairs that are a grand attraction for foreigners. The difference between these fairs and markets are that they are annual, montly, and also the majority offer agricultural products, arts and crafts, and weavngs. Markets usually offer manufactured products. Another big difference is that the markets are open during office hours, meaning 8 hours per day. Fairs begin at daybreak and are in operation on an annual basis, except for the Fair 16 de Julio, which takes place two days a week on Thursdays and S undays.

There are also fairs in different zones, which take place on a weekly basis such as the SenKata, Ventilla and Pacajes Fairs.

In these fairs, we can find everythng from a simple needle to cattle. Among the most important annual fairs is the Alasitas Fair, where we remember the God of Abundance. This fair takes place every 24 of Enero and the tradition is that people purchase miniatures at 12 noon, so that they receive everything they want. They can buy houses, cars, stores, food, tools, pastries, dolls, clothing, land, and even miniature currency bills. Another larger fair is the Ramos Fair, which take place in April. The photos are from last year´s fair.

Original: ALGO SOBRE LAS COSTUMBRES Y TRADICIONES
In Aymara: Coming Soon

El Alto is a city filled with traditions. On the 24th of this month, Alasitas is celebrated with a lot of faith and hope for the new year. Alasitas is a fair with vendors who sell miniature articles. The story is that if you purchase on January 24th at 12:00, then all of the things you wanted to acquire during the year that the god Ekeko will provide it to you in abundance.

The Ekeko is a small chubby character with a mustache. He is holding anything that you can imagine and for that reason he is the god of abundance. Countless number of legends surround the Ekeko.

My grandfather told me one of these stories, and it goes like this: On the eve of January 24, a couple along with their son and his wife were hurried. For one, they were manufacturers of miniature objects to see at Alasitas. In addition, the son had suffered an accident and his wife was due to give birth precisely on those days. For those reason, they could not finish the order of the miniatures. One night an older, chubby man named Pancho knocked on their door. He asked if he could stay the night at the family’s home. The family had always been very generous with others and let the man stay the night. During conversation, the they talked about their work and the problem that they were facing. The guest offered to help. While the daughter-in-law gave birth, Pancho had finished all of the orders for Alasitas. When the family arrived home, they were surprised of what had happened and reaffirmed their belief in Alasitas. Ekeko really existed and was the visitor.

Original: Los Niños, Los Niños
In Aymara: Coming Soon

Harvested in fertile land, ready to grow, waiting for someone to appreciate and cultivate their abilities, skills and virtues, with their innocent smile lacking in any hint of evil in their soul, so adorable and as John Fitzgerald said, “children are the most important resource in the world and the best hope for the future.” So that they have a better future, we should treat children with much care so that a seed can be harvested for the future, with fundamental values such as respect, reciprocity and humanity.

In the city of El Alto, many children stay at home by themselves because the father and mother work all day in order to provide a daily income. They leave them sleeping in the morning and find them sleeping at night. They cannot spend the necessary time with them to give them support. For that reason, some children are raised by the media, which some of the time does not contain educational programs and often shows them a reality that does not exist. That reality for some families can only be changed by education. It is the responsibility of the entire society, the parents and teachers.

Original in Spanish: ¿el modo de hablar puede unir o separar?
Translation in Aymara: Aski uñacht’äwi: Mä arsüwix jak’achistaspat jan ukax jaljtayistaspacha

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to visit many departments in my Bolivia; and even though the official language is Spanish, other languages are spoken, such as Aymara, Quechua and Guaraní, etc. In the case of Spanish, it is also divided into dialects depending on one’s place of origin.

I was lucky to be able to learn Quechua during one of my visits to Oruro, when I was 8 years old. But upon returning to Santa Cruz, my accent had changed. My cousins made fun of me, which made me forget that language altogether. I had to, in order to be a part of my social circle. Now I regret that I had forgotten that language, even though I am trying to learn once again, although it is turning out to be difficult. I would have liked for the government to have supported the use of our native languages.

My friends in Santa Cruz still make fun of me because of my accent, but now that I am older I am able to defend myself. When they hear my reasons, they become quiet, and even perhaps, embarrassed. This is what I believe in, and what I want. I hope that many other people change and learn to value our languages before they disappear.

This past Sunday, I was invited to be a judge in a primary school. The children were very sweet and could very easily capture one’s heart. However, one should always value their ability and their intelligence. It was a nice experience to be able to be with them and see their parents’ concerns. We know that their parents often do their children’s homework, when I asked:

Which textbooks did you review?

One mother tried to help her chile and she heard incorrectly, and very carefully she said of one of the discos. Everyone listening became excited and there was nothing more than to say, where else?

Everyone presented on the topic of how to improve the environment and avoid contamination with trash.

It was the first presentation of this school that is situated along the avenue in the area of Kenko. The children also presented the different dances from each department. In addition, it was a very sunny day.

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Original: EL VOCEADOR

Translation in Aymara: Coming Soon
By: Cristina Quisbert

“16 de Julio, Plaza Ballivian, Alto Lima….!”, “Tarapaca, cruce Taquiña, Senkata….!”, are some of the routes announced by the announcers, those who sometimes torment us with their yelling, but who have also become part of daily life.

But, what is an announcer?

It is a child or teenager that is in charge of announcing the routes of the different mini-bus, bus or collective taxi lines. In one of the mini-bus stops, I took the opportunity to ask an 18-year-old announcer a couple of questions.

How many hours a day do you work?

He says, “I begin work at 8 a.m., earlier sometimes and I work until 8 p.m.”

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Original in Spanish: CONCURSOS EN EL ALTO

Translation in Aymara: Coming Soon

In the city of El Alto, new practices and choreographical techniques are being strengthened. New groups from schools and institutions are emerging. The problem are the incentives and skill levels are too low.

There is no support for culture and when there is support, many scheme to take advantage of the funds or the prizes. That is frustrating. That happened to me today and it discourages me. The campaign CIES BOLIVIA organized a festival of cueca and beyond the poor organization and the delays, they rewarded improvisation. They didn’t care much about transparency putting into jeopardy the institution’s reputation. This happened in the plaza 16 de julio and it was the last time I participated with that institution financed by USAID.

Original in Spanish: ESTAMOS EN CAMPAÑA

Translation in Aymara: Chiqapa: kampñankasktänwa

By: David Rodriguez

We are campaigning for the nomination of “Madidi National Park” and “Lake Titicaca” as one of the natural wonders of the world.

Of course, up until now, only those that live in these regions have admired its ecological value and its natural beauty. For example, it is along the banks of the lake where the most important cultures of South America were created, and where now these Andean cultures continue.

That is why, it is worth the opportunity to join in the convocation of the 7 natural wonders of the world. On my part, I call on you friend to support this campaign.

It has to do with an acknowledgement in the current historical phase, where the planet is suffering its most drastic changes with global warming and it teaches us how to respect the value of the natural resources.