Who Are the Aymara?
The Aymara are an indigenous people of the Altiplano—the high plateau surrounding Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, Peru, and northern Chile. Numbering approximately 2-3 million, they inhabit one of Earth's highest populated regions at 3,800-4,000 meters altitude. Predecessors to the Inca, the Aymara built the ancient city of Tiwanaku and developed sophisticated adaptations to extreme altitude. Today, they maintain strong cultural identity while playing increasingly prominent roles in Andean politics.
Time Flows Backward
The Aymara language encodes a unique conceptualization of time: the past is in front (because it can be seen/known) while the future is behind (unseen/unknown). This contrasts with most languages where the future lies ahead. Gestures match this conception—Aymara speakers point forward when discussing past events. This linguistic feature has fascinated cognitive scientists studying how language shapes thought. The Aymara worldview emphasizes what is known and experienced over speculation about the unseen future.
Tiwanaku: Ancient Metropolis
The Aymara are heirs to Tiwanaku civilization, which flourished from 300-1150 CE and at its peak may have housed 40,000 people—remarkable at 3,800 meters altitude. Tiwanaku's monumental architecture, including the famous Gateway of the Sun, demonstrates sophisticated engineering and astronomical knowledge. Raised field agriculture (suka kollus) supported the urban population in a challenging environment. When the Inca expanded south, they incorporated Aymara territories but never fully absorbed Aymara identity, which persisted through colonial rule to the present.
Wiphala and Political Identity
The wiphala, a square rainbow-checkered flag, has become a powerful symbol of Aymara and pan-indigenous identity. Each color represents elements of Andean cosmology. Bolivia's constitution now recognizes the wiphala alongside the national flag. Aymara political movements have been central to Bolivia's indigenous resurgence, including supporting Evo Morales as the first indigenous president. Conflicts over the wiphala's status in 2019 demonstrated how indigenous symbols have become contested terrain in national politics.
High-Altitude Adaptation
Living at extreme altitudes for millennia, the Aymara have developed physiological adaptations including larger lung capacity, higher hemoglobin levels, and more efficient oxygen utilization. Studies of Aymara physiology contribute to understanding human adaptation and high-altitude medicine. Traditional knowledge addresses altitude challenges: coca leaf chewing provides mild stimulation and suppresses altitude symptoms, while careful food storage and preparation cope with low atmospheric pressure. These adaptations demonstrate human biological and cultural flexibility.
References
- Hardman, M. J. (2001). Aymara (Languages of the World)
- Kolata, A. L. (1993). The Tiwanaku: Portrait of an Andean Civilization
- AlbĂł, X. (2002). Pueblos Indios en la PolĂtica