The recent events taking place in South America tend to cause the rest of the world to pay attention. Peru just elected its first Indian-descent president. Alejandro Toledo defeated former President Alan Garcia. But, the recent few years have been marked by the self-imposed exile in Japan of former President Alberto Fujimori. How convenient was it for him to be of Japanese descent! But, Bolivia continues to differentiate itself with all its forms and attempts at giving more rights, land and education to its indigenous peoples.
What has it meant to be an indigenous person in Latin America?
Correcting the wrongs done to the Natives
For far too long, being an indigenous person in Latin was synonymous with being eliminated, ignored or assimilated. I imagine that many of you are familiar with this type of reading. Based on my observations of many countryside communities and groups, I can say that Bolivia is giving a challenge to the rest of South American countries, if not, the rest of the world. Some of the clear examples that show that Bolivia has been heading in the right direction when it comes to empowering its native peoples can be seen in the number of languages that are made official besides Spanish. Quechua and Aymara are now official languages. Bolivian educators and concerned citizens seem to go beyond this recognition. Most children from these two indigenous tribes are studying in their mother tongues. Officials are promoting the writing of more textbooks in Quechua and Aymara. Furthermore, we can see that a native Aymara was elected vice-president of the country. Overall, there has been more of a collaborative effort to grant claims to land, identity and rights to the natives.
Ethnic diversity seen as enrichment source of the country.
Visit bustling and vibrant community of El Alto
Bolivia seems to realize that it's time to put to rest the painful years of isolation and persecution of their own members. It is clear that more innovative reform laws will have to be enacted to reach all the communities of Aymara and Quechua residents. We must say that they are heading in the right direction. Instead of suppressing indigenous languages, the country is promoting bilingual and multicultural education. There is no more prohibition of native languages in school and government offices. The centuries-old persecution seems to stop.
Besides the capital, La Paz, you can see more and more Aymara and Quechua people in El Alto. In fact, a lot of them come to El Alto to seek economic opportunities. Since they are willing to hustle and work hard, a lot of them manage to improve their economic conditions. They send money back to their relatives in their home villages. El Alto may not be a pretty and safe place, but it's the first pied-a-terre for many natives who want to enter the capitalist markets. It's such a sight to be in front of the modern and the traditional. El Alto is the place where most indigenous people come to make a better life. Everywhere you turn, you will hear indian language.
After spending some time in the most glamorous parts of the country such as urban La Paz and more touristic Lake Titicaca, you will want to see what's behind all the changes in the country. You will want to pay a visit to El Alto where more than 80% of the people are migrants who speak Spanish and/or Aymara or Quechua. Be ready to bargain with the street vendors. Sharpen your Spanish skills today. Being involved in what has come to be known as micro enterprises or small businesses, I had lots of pleasure observing that most indigenous people are entrepreneurs who don't mind taking risks. That's their essence in reality.
Go to Bolivia and visit El Alto, you will find that many positive forces are at work. From the international organizations to the new conscience of the Bolivian people who want to redress the wrongs inflicted upon their own members, you will find a country that is fast developing. More and more investors are needed for more job creation. The unemployment rate must be reduced for significant pieces of the pie to reach everybody, every indigenous person despite inclusion efforts.
Hope you have a good time there. Find out more about the people and the country while you are having fun. Making this trip an educational one can be very rewarding investment for you.
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