Discovering Bolivia and the Aymara’s culture

CLaSE is proud to announce the participation of our director Dr. Antonella Calarota-Ninman and the Anthropology department faculty, Dr. Maisa Taha, in the Bolivia High Andes Qualitative Field Study, a program organized by the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University. Held from December 1–11, 2024, this immersive field trip brought together 12 professors and administrators from universities across the nation who have been invited to explore the cultural, spiritual, and geographic richness of Bolivia. The program included visits to iconic sites such as the Uyuni Salt Flats, Lake Titicaca, Tiahuanaco archeological site, the Isla del sol and other sacred places central to Aymara culture, as well as the bustling cities of La Paz and El Alto. Participants engaged in enriching presentations by theologians, artists, architects, and academics on topics such as Aymara spirituality, indigenous urban landscapes, and cosmology. A highlight of the journey was a profound sacred ritual led by a renowned Aymara yatiri and his family on the Lloco Lloco mountain, where participants honored the earth, sought purification, expressed gratitude to the earth and asked for protection for their loved ones.

This extraordinary experience deepened the group’s understanding of the profound connections between Bolivia’s indigenous communities, their traditions, and the natural world. The participation in this trip underscores the importance of cultural exchange and interdisciplinary learning in understanding the vibrant heritage of the Andes and the communities of the Pueblos Originarios.