GLOSSARY


Churuhuasca, a mythical Bolivian upper rainforest village, site of most of our stories.
Chulumani, a real Bolivian town, capital of Sud Yungas, a semitropical upper-rainforest area located on the slopes of the Andes. Also known as Villa de la Libertad ("Liberty Village") in memory of local heroes who figured among the first and the most outstanding leaders and fighters in the war of independence against the Spanish rule.
San Bartolome: Spanish name for St Bartholomew who was one of the 12 apostles. Believed to be the Nathaniel whose innocence and simplicity won high praise from the lips of Christ. All that is known of him with certainty is that he is mentioned in the synoptic gospels and Acts as one of the twelve apostles. His name, a patronymic, means "son of Tolomai". Scholars believe he is the same as Nathaniel mentioned in John and described as an "Israelite…incapable of deceit". The Roman Martyrology says he preached in Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, India and Greater Armenia, where he was flayed and beheaded by King Astyages near the West Coast of the Caspian Sea. An existing Gospel of Bartholomew is believed to be apochryphal and was condemned in the decree of Pseudo-Gelasius. His Feast Day is August 24. His traditional symbol is a knife, the instrument that was used to flay him alive. The statue in the upper-rainforest town of Chulumani has a machete instead of a knife. People say that many years ago an earthquake occurred in the region. The town-people ran into the church for shelter. The quake lasted a few seconds but caused tremendous terror. After it was over they found the machete leaning against the church wall and beside the statue. People believed a miracle had occurred: "The Santo had stopped the quake with his machete! Placing it against the wall he avoided the local church to crumble down." The fiesta of St. Bartholomew is celebrated every 24th of August.
The snail ("caracol" in Spanish) is the background leitmotiv in our stories. The questions about life that overwhelm mankind are symbolized on the question mark engraved on the back of the snail. In a given moment of our stories a surprising answer will be found.
Coca is still legally produced in restricted areas of the Andean valleys. for local consumption by natives who traditionally still chew it. This use is totally different from the illicit use and production of cocaine.
Lacayote: Local name for an edible elongated and bulbous plant belonging to the same cucurbitaceous family as the cucumbers, pumpkins and melons as well as hundreds of other fruits existent in warm-climate regions around the world.
"Palla-pallas": Local name given to the dancers of a peculiar native dance where the dancers act up pretending to be demented. The accompanying music is a combination of African beat and native Andean tunes.
Pisco: Alcoholic distilled beverage made out of grapes. Clear as vodka, it is a type of brandy. It is as powerful beverage stronger than most tequilas.
Bombos: Spanish-American term for big drums.
Zampona: Spanish term for panpipes.
Pinkillo or pinquillo is a Bolivian term for a wind instrument, a native reed flute.
Candombe is a type of dance with African roots, The "saya" is a local variety with a blend of African beat and Andean tune and rhythm. In Bolivia, the Black population is a minimal minority. Most of the few Bolivian Blacks come from Los Yungas where their ancestors were imported to work as slaves.
Jalancha: an Indian term (Aymara language) for a cliff-site used as a town-dump in the old days, before the existence of drainage and sewage and contemporary public services.
Chukuta is a demeaning Indian (Aymara language) term for the citizens of the big city of La Paz.
Cholas: Mestizo, half-breed local women.
Empanada: (meat or cheese) regional pie.
Enquesado: A tasty local cheese bread.
Kauka: A tasty local buttered bread with the shape of an ear.
Tulos: Tasty regional whole-wheat bread.
Cululi: Local variation of the Indian (Aymara language) term: "kolila" meaning "precious" and/or "adorable"; used as a term of special affection.
Sicuris: A Bolivian dance originated on the high plateaus. The dancers carry gigantic headdresses adorned with feathers. The dancers also wear spectacular costumes with ornate embroidery and spangling sequins. Their music is played with many panpipes and big drums.
Kullawadas: Another Bolivian distinctive dance. The costumes used in this dance are among the most beautiful and colorful. The dance is elaborate and requires optimal step-synchronization of men and women.
Llameradas: Another Bolivian dance. The dancers dressed as llama shepherds who twirl their slings while dancing.
Auqui-auquis: Another Bolivian renowned dance where the dancers, dressed as decrepit old men, dance with canes and jokingly pretend to be jolly dancing old men.
Morenadas: A spectacular Bolivian dance with roots that date back to the colonial times. The costumes are supposed to depict the clothing of the black slaves and their masters. They dance with rattles making noises simulating the chains dragged by the slaves. If interested you may see photos and more details about some of the Bolivian dances at http://ccusu.edu/~slcpc/bmp/kantuta.html.
Caporales: In this dance originated in the Yungas region, the dancers wear long leather boots, and colorful costumes that include a long leather whip. This satirical dance was supposedly developed to portray Indian as well as black slaves and their slave foremen.
Saya: Another dance originated in Yungas in the area of Chicaloma, the main settlement for the few Black people of Bolivia. Originally the female Black dancers were dressed with simple white cotton tunics and their male companions dressed in white clothing made of similar inexpensive flour-sacks. The dancers wore red scarves and danced a festive and contagious tune, blend of African rhythm and Andean tunes. In the old days the dancers also exchanged spicy and genial verses. Those verbal exchanges were enhanced by the melifluous Negro accent of the participants of long ago. The verses have been mostly forgotten but the costumes and the music have evolved. "La saya" is nowadays one of the most popular Bolivian folklore dances.
Diablada: The most spectacular of all Bolivian dances. Male dancers wear ornate costumes representing the devils, gods of the mountain caves and mines. The music is most energetic, as is the dance that requires athletic prowess and endurance. The natives have always superstitiously have feared the power of the devil. They do not pay homage to devils but all respect them. In the dance there is a temptress beauty (The China Supay) and an avenging Angel. Mixed Catholic and pagan influences are evident in most Bolivian dances and costumes.
Oruro: Bolivian city, site of the famous Mardi Gras celebrations where the Devil’s dancers are one of the highlights. This altiplano (high plateau) city is almost 12 thousand feet above the sea level.
Cululi: Local variation of the Indian (Aymara language) term: kolila" meaning "precious" and or "adorable". Term used to express special affection.
Ananita: Indian (Aymara language) term that is equivalent to something small and valuable. Used mainly when talking about babies and special gifts; a special term of affection.
Matuasi: A warehouse or storage bin for the harvest products. A regional exclusive term only used in Los Yungas.