3-21-10: The Pujllay is a traditional celebration that occurs annually every March to remember the Battle of Jumbati. This crucial battle took place on March 12, 1816, 50 kilometers outside of the city of Sucre. Indigenous soldiers, led by indigenous leaders, overcame the Spanish during the fight for independence. The festival takes place in the town of Tarabuco, not far from the battle site. The souls of the soldiers who died in the battle are honored.
Another part of the Pujllay celebration involves the Pucara which is a magical-religious symbol in the form of a large ladder which is decorated with flowers, fruits, drinks, and agricultural products of the region. It is erected in an open area as an offering to the deceased and groups of indigenous dancers dressed in colorful, traditional costumes dance around the Pucara.
The Tarabucan people often wear leather hats called “monteras” that are fashioned after the helmets of the Spanish conquistadors. During the Pujllay, this hat is adorned with flowers (sometimes made of cloth). The attire of both male and female dancers is quite elaborate. The men wear platform sandals called “ojotas” that have large decorative spurs attached. The sound of the spurs, as well as the sound of the bells attached to broad belts worn around the waist, contributes to the music produced by wind instruments, the toqoros, senq’as and wajras.
3-26-10: Gaby and Luke have been participating in late afternoon workshops Mon.-Fri. for 2 weeks now to increase their interaction with Bolivian children. Although they resisted initially, they have been enjoying the different workshops and have been conversing with their teacher and the other kids in Spanish. Their teacher is from France and her Spanish has a strong French accent but it doesn’t seem to be a problem for the kids in her classes. The workshops include math and word games, art class, as well as board and team games.
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