Bolivia ~ An Historical Background

To completely appreciate the nature of Bolivia’s political climate and social structure you have to take the time to review the fairly complex history it shares with most of South America. Long before the arrival of the Spanish to the South American continent, the Bolivian Highlands shared the Andean culture with its neighbors on all sides. The Andean region is said to have been inhabited for over 13,000 years, but it was only around the second century BC that civilization began to flourish around the southern end of Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, with a surface area of 8,372 square kilometers. The southern end of the lake was the center of the Tiwanakan culture, which had developed an advanced understanding of architecture and agriculture until its disappearance in 1200 AD.

The demise of the Tiwanakan culture created a vacuum that led to the advance of the seven kingdoms of the Aymara, a belligerent mountain people who created fortified hillside towns from which they governed both the highlands and the lowlands, accomplishing the latter by colonizing local tribes. By controlling both regions and irrigating their agricultural areas, they were able to harvest highland and tropical crops, providing their people with ample food stocks.

Despite their success at developing the region, the Aymara could not contain the encroachment of the third ethnic group to dominate the area, the Quechua, originally named for their language, but who became known as the Incas. The Bolivian Highlands developed into one of four Inca administrative regions and became known as Kalasaya, although immediate control remained under the Aymara. The ability to retain their culture and autonomy eventually led the Aymara to rise up against the Incas; however, the Inca were able to solidify their hold on the territory by the beginning of the 16th century. Although the Inca were ultimately conquered by the Spanish in 1532, evidence of their influence can still be found in the number of Quechua speaking Indians currently living in the highlands (2.1 million, c2001). Meanwhile, the Indian tribes of the Bolivian lowlands who were able to resist Incan control also managed to survive beyond Spanish domination.

After multiple expeditions to South America in the early 1500’s, the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro led an expedition to Peru with his brothers Hernando and Gonzalo and second-in-command, Diego Almagro, in 1532. At this time in Incan history Huayna Capac, the reigning Emperor had just died of smallpox and one of his sons, Atahualpa, conquered his brother, Huascar, to take control of his people. However, the Incan empire was still in a state of disarray from Huayna’s death and Pizarro tricked and captured Atualpa, ultimately killing him despite being paid an incredible ransom of four rooms full of silver and ¼ room of gold for his release.

Pizarros’ conquest of South America with Diego de Almagro resulted in the region being split into a northern territory under Pizarro’s control and the Southern region under Almagro. A civil war broke out between their respective forces, ultimately culminating with Almagro’s defeat and execution by Pizarro in 1538. When Pizarro was assassinated by Almagro supporters three years later, his brother Gonzalo took over. However, before long Gonzalo became embroiled in a rebellion against the Spanish Crown, which ended with his execution in 1548.

During this period Bolivian silver mines produced vast quantities of the precious metal that soon filled the coffers of the Spanish Crown, but over the next three centuries Spanish taxes and a policy of selling imported goods to the Indians at inflated prices was almost as lucrative for the Spanish throne. By the late 1700’s the Criollos, or purebred Spaniards who were born and raised in South America, began to resent Spanish domination and the seeds of discontent lead to a proclamation of Independence in 1809. Despite the proclamation, it took 16 years of continued fighting before the republic was born and named for its favorite son, Simón Bolívar, in 1825.

In the 19th century Bolivia made tremendous social and economic strides under the leadership of Andres de Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz managed to unify Bolivia with Peru in the Confederacion Peru-Bolivia, between 1836 and 1839. Perceived as a major economic threat by its neighbors, beginning with a disagreement over a wheat tariff, the federation fell apart when the War of the Confederation pitted the Peru-Bolivian forces against Chile and Argentina. Chile and Argentina prevailed and the confederation was soon dissolved. For the next 60 years Bolivian history was marked by coups, short lived governments and general political instability.

From the days of the Spanish conquests Bolivia’s indigenous peoples have suffered greatly at the hands of wealthy landowners and mining companies, who subjected them to menial work and a second class citizenship. The Chaco War with Paraguay in 1941 bred the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, a non communist middle class political coalition designed to create a better political system for the country’s current social structure of that period. In other words, the country began to come to grips with its social needs without resorting to the losing concept of communism that swept across so many agrarian nations dominated by wealthy landowners. A stint at military rule led the country through a transition to democracy.

Where To Visit

Bolivia rests in the center of five South American countries, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Paraguay, each influence contributing to the diversity of Bolivian culture. The highlight of any Bolivian tour should begin with a visit to Lake Titicaca, the second largest lake in South America and highest in elevation, it is still one of the most densely populated areas in South America. Bordered by Peru and Bolivia, the southern end of this 120 mile long body of water boasts the ancient community of Tiahuanaco, an ancient settlement containing ruins from pre-Incan through Incan society. Tiahuanaco is considered by many archeologists to be the world’s most ancient city. One of the four major Incan administrative areas, Kalasaya, as it was known, was the home to the Aymara. As discussed earlier, the Aymara were known for their advanced architecture and agriculture. The Sun Gate is the apex to this magnificent temple city. This immense 45 ton piece of stone contains a riddle carved into its surface, confounding scientists, archeologists and visitors alike, as they try to decipher its purpose. It is said the carvings represent an ancient calendar dating back to 16,000 BC. The Incan ruins of Tiahuanaco are rivaled in terms of its archeological value only to Machu Picchu in Peru. It must be noted that

Titicaca is 12,507 feet above sea level, which leaves many visitors gasping for air. For those who have visited Cusco, Peru (11,500), on the way to Machu Picchu, you know that a two to three day visit does not afford you much time to acclimate to the altitude, so plan on drinking copious amounts of cocoa tea and, if you suffer any breathing issues, bring portable oxygen. The risk in altitude sickness comes from not having sufficient times to acclimate to the elevation. Flying directly to high altitudes should be accompanied by a few days of light activity and getting used to the oxygen deficiency.

Bolivia’s administrative capital is La Paz. Founded in 1548, La Paz contains over 16% of Bolivia’s population and serves as an excellent starting point for many of the tours around the country. Amboro National Park is a protected wilderness representing all four of the different geographical zones of Bolivia, covering almost half a million hectares, or roughly 1 ¼ million acres. There are extensive tours available through Amborotours To see the beginning of ancient Incan origins you can take a 2 day tour aboard a catamaran from La Paz to Sun Island, legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. It covers the Ekako Underground Museum, the Titicaca Reed Shipbuilders display centers and many more cultural exhibitions, including an unspoiled Titicaca village that has been preserved in the traditional lifestyle of the ancients.

The period before lent is celebrated widely in South America. While Carnivale tends to be associated primarily with the world’s largest celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco, Brazil, many South American cities also celebrate Carnival before lent. On the Sunday following Ash Wednesday, a post Carnival fiesta in Phujllay is an Independence Celebration commemorating the battle of Jubati, in which the Spanish were defeated by Indian soldiers on 12 March 1816. Held in Tarabuco, this all night fiesta features the traditional instruments, dances and dress of the Aymara and Quechua, attracting thousands of campesinos, or farmers, from around the neighboring communities. During your celebration you will undoubtedly be offered some form of Chicha, which is usually a reference to the traditional Chicha de jora, or fermented corn brew, but can actually be any form of fermented beverage.

In the fertile Cochabamba Valley lies the city of Cochabamba, whose spring like weather earned it the nickname “City of Eternal Spring” is considered to have the best climate in the country. The third largest city in Bolivia, with a population of over 800,000, Cochabamba boasts La Cancha, the largest open air market in South America. The Cristo de la Concordia is the largest statue of Christ in the world, despite claims that the Christ the Redeemer in Rio Janeiro is larger. Visitors can climb up to the arms of the statue for a tremendous panoramic view of the city. There are several parks for outdoors people and La Recoleta, for those who desire to enjoy the nightlife of the city.

The City with Four Names, Sucre, La Plata, Charcas or Cuidad Blanca, is more than just a charming colonial city blending ancient traditions with a thriving economy. It is also a major Bolivian agricultural center that supplies the altiplano, a fairly barren area of mining communities in the upper plains. In Sucre you can visit the Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia’s Declaration of Independence was signed on August 16th 1825. Sucre is home to a variety of museums and churches, including the Chapel of the Virgin de Guadalupe, which features a jewel covered image of the Virgin painted by Fray Diego de Ocaña.

One final note: In addition to altitude sickness visitors should be very aware of Chagas Disease, which can be life threatening. For those who like roughing it, make no mistakes that you will be very wise to sleep inside of mosquito netting to protect you from the bite of a blood sucking bug named vinchucas, that looks like a harmless beetle but bites and leaves droppings behind. The problem begins when those droppings get rubbed into a bite, infecting the victim. Do not sleep in traditional buildings without sealed ceilings, or any other location without your mosquito netting around you to keep the bugs away. This disease can take from ten to twenty years to fully manifest itself, however, once it does the worst case scenario leads to sudden heart attack and death. If you get a hard, purple itchy swelling, usually near an eye, get to a specialist center like the one in Cochabamba.

Global Net Trading recommends the following websites for potential Bolivian tourists:

http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/bo.html ~ Bolivian Government site listing various ministries and National Institutions

http://www.boliviacontact.com/sitemap/ ~ This website offers a wide range of accommodations and attractions that you can arrange to visit through tours.

http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/island/6810/ivan/bolivia.html ~ This refreshing look at Bolivia from one who spent three months biking around the country.

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