Aymara
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| Aymara | ||
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| Missing image Qullasuyu_wiphala.png | ||
| Total population: | 1.6million | |
| Significant populations in: | Bolivia (1.2m) Peru (300,000) Chile (50,000) Argentina (10,000) | |
| Languages: | Aymara, Spanish | |
The Aymara are an ethnic group in the Andes region of Bolivia and Peru. They were established in the region for centuries before becoming a subject people of the Inca, and later of the Spanish in the 16th century.
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History
There used to be rich Aymara kingdoms, who were conquered by Huayna Capac between 1493 CE and 1525 CE. He took their stone masons to Cusco to train them in the Inca style and later help in building some of the architecture the Inca are known for. Though conquered by the Inca, due to their isolation in the Altiplano and high regard for their culture and language the Aymara people never adopted the Inca language Quechua.
Geography
Most Aymara live in the Lake Titicaca region, concentrated south of the lake. The urban center of the Aymara region is El Alto, a 750,000-person city near the Bolivian capital La Paz. In addition, numerous Aymara live and work as campesinos in the surrounding Altiplano.
Culture
The native language of the Aymara is also named Aymara; in addition, many Aymara speak Spanish the dominant language of the countries in which they live, as a second one. The Aymara flag is known as the Wiphala; it consists of seven colors quilted together with diagonal stripes. Aymara have grown and chewed coca plants for centuries; over the last century, this has brought them into conflict with state authorities who have carried out coca eradication plans in order to prevent the creation of the drug cocaine, which is created by processing coca leaves.
Politics
Felipequispe.jpg
There are numerous movements for greater independence or political power for the Aymara. These include the Tupac Katari Guerrilla Army, led by Felipe Quispe, and the Movement Towards Socialism, a political party organized by cocalero Evo Morales. These and many other Aymara organizations have been involved in activism in Bolivia, including the 2003 Bolivian Gas War and the 2005 Bolivia protests. One of the goals of the movement, as put forth by Quispe, is the establishment of an independent indigenous state, Collasuyu, named for the Aymara region of the Inca empire.
External links
- Aymara site in English (http://www.aymara.org/index_eng.php)
- http://www.peopleteams.org/aymarade:Aymara
es:Aymara fr:Aymara ja:アイマラ nl:Aymara pl:Ajmara pt:Aimará sv:Aymara