Where did the Aymara come from?

The Aymara themselves are thought to be one of the earliest peoples in this part of South America, and are believed to have formed from the Tiahuanaco culture that was in the region from 500-200 BC. The Aymara make their home in a place called Altiplano, which is a plateau of high altitude in the Bolivian Andes.

What is Aymara culture?

The aymara culture is a pre-inca culture which gave birth to the Tihuanacota empire which extended over the altiplano from the 5th century BC to the 12th century AD, before being invaded by the Incas and then Spanish.

What happened to the Aymara?

It is most likely that the Inca had a strong influence over the Aymara region for some time. Though conquered by the Inca, the Aymaras retained some degree of autonomy under the empire. The Spanish arrived to the western portions of South America in 1535. Soon after, by 1538, they subdued the Aymara.

What are the Aymara people known for?

Celebrating the everyday lives of a Bolivian indigenous group. Known for their bowler hats and full skirts, the Aymara of Bolivia want people to see beyond folkloric stereotypes.

How many Aymara speakers are there?

It is one of only a handful of Native American languages with over one million speakers. Aymara, along with Spanish, is an official language in Bolivia and Peru….Aymara language.

Why is Aymara spoken in Peru?

It is believed that the original homeland of Aymara was Peru, and that the language later spread into neighboring areas of Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru in the 16th century, Aymara was spoken over a larger area than today having lost speakers to Spanish and Quechua.

How did Aymara people live?

Family. The Aymara live in extended family groups. Communities of several extended families often live together inside enclosed compounds. However, this traditional structure is changing as many have moved into the cities looking for job opportunities.

What do the Aymara believe in?

The Aymara believe in the power of spirits that reside in mountains, in the sky, or in natural forces, such as lightning. The most potent and sacred of their gods is Pachamama, the Earth Goddess who has the power to make the soil fertile and ensure a good crop.

How many Aymara people are there?

The Aymara population is estimated at between 500,000 and 600,000. The majority live in small towns, villages, and rural communities and are primarily small-scale farmers who may also work elsewhere as day labourers for part of the year.

Is Aymara a dying language?

Are the Aymara languages endangered? Yes. With over 2 million speakers, Aymara suffers no immediate threat, and what’s more, it is an official language in Peru and Bolivia. But the number of Aymara speakers seems to be decreasing as some give it up for Spanish or a Quechua language.

Is Aymara still spoken?

It is one of only a handful of Native American languages with over one million speakers. Aymara, along with Spanish, is an official language in Bolivia and Peru. It is also spoken, to a much lesser extent, by some communities in northern Chile, where it is a recognized minority language.

What is the Aymara religion?

The majority of the Aymara today are nominally Roman Catholic. In practice their religion is a syncretistic blend of Catholicism and indigenous religion, based on a parallelism, in which supernatural phenomena were classified similarly to natural ones.

Where do the Aymara people live in the world?

The Aymara people today mainly live in Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, with a small number also to be found in Argentina. The Aymara people have been ruled over by the Incas, Spaniards, and the modern governments of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru alike.

What do the Aymara and Quechua people have in common?

Aymara and Quechua people share many cultural attributes and practices, such as their belief in Pachamama, an Andean deity (often translated as ‘Earth Mother’). Those living in rural areas tend to make their living as small farmers.

Who was the ruler of the Aymara people?

The Aymara people have been ruled over by the Incas, Spaniards, and the modern governments of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru alike. Yet, despite so many external influences, Aymara communities have managed to survive and cling to their customs, religion, and traditional ways of life.

When do the Aymara celebrate the New Year?

Those lines ring especially true during the winter solstice, when Illimani virtually presides over the many celebrations. In the Southern Hemisphere, the day usually falls on June 21, which also marks the New Year in the tradition of the Aymara people, for whom the New Year is a deeply felt holiday.