Indians In Bolivia: What Are They Called?

Indigenous peoples in Bolivia, also known as Native Bolivians, constitute 20 to 60% of the country's population. They are made up of 36 recognized ethnic groups, with the largest being the Aymara and Quechua communities. The Indigenous peoples of Bolivia are divided into two main ethnic groups: the Andeans, who inhabit the Andean Altiplano and valley regions, and the ethnic cultures of the oriental Llanos region, who live in the warm eastern regions of the country.

Who are the Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia?

Indigenous peoples in Bolivia, also known as Native Bolivians, are those with predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. They constitute anywhere from 20 to 60% of Bolivia's population of 11,306,341, depending on different estimates. There are 36 recognised indigenous peoples in Bolivia, with the largest groups being the Aymara and Quechua. The geography of Bolivia includes the Andes, the Gran Chaco, the Yungas, the Chiquitania, and the Amazon Rainforest.

The Indigenous peoples of Bolivia are divided into two ethnic groups: the Andeans, who live in the Andean Altiplano and the valley region, and the ethnic culture of the oriental Llanos region, who inhabit the warm regions of eastern Bolivia (Gran Chaco).

The Andeans include the Aymara and Quechua peoples, who formed the ancient Inca Empire. The Aymara live on the high plateau of the departments of La Paz, Oruro, and Potosí, as well as some small regions near the tropical flatlands. The Quechua inhabit mostly the valleys of Cochabamba and Chuquisaca, with some mountain regions in Potosí and Oruro. They divide themselves into Quechua nations, such as the Tarabucos, Ucumaris, Chalchas, and Chaquies.

The ethnic cultures of the oriental Llanos region include the Guaraní, Tacanas, Panos, Aruacos, Chapacuras, Botocudos, and Zamucos. The Guaraní are made up of the Guarayos, Pausernas, Sirionos, Chiriguanos, Wichí, Chulipis, Tapietes, Tobas, and Yuquis. The Tacanas consist of the Tacanas, Lecos, Ese Ejas, Araonas, Reyesanos, and Maropas. The Panos are formed by the Chacobos, Caripunas, Sinabos, Capuibos, and Guacanaguas. The Aruacos include the Apolistas, Baures, Moxos, Chané, Movimas, Cayabayas, Carabecas, and Paiconecas or Paucanacas. The Chapacuras are made up of the Itenez or More, Chapacuras, Sansinonianos, Canichanas, Itonamas, Yuracares, Guatoses, and Chiquitos. The Botocudos consist of the Bororos and Otuquis, while the Zamucos are formed by the Ayoreos.

In addition to the 36 recognised indigenous groups, there are also mestizos, who are people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. They make up about 68% of the Bolivian population and assume a mestizo identity while also identifying with one or more indigenous cultures.

The Indigenous peoples in Bolivia have a long history of marginalization and lack of representation. However, the late twentieth century saw a surge of political and social mobilization in Indigenous communities, with movements such as the Katarista movement seeking to pursue an Indigenous political identity through mainstream politics. In recent years, there has been progress in recognizing Indigenous rights and increasing Indigenous participation in politics and society.

What is the population of Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia?

Indigenous people in Bolivia, or Native Bolivians, are those with predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. Estimates of the Indigenous Peoples' population in Bolivia vary, depending on the criteria used in a given census.

According to the 2012 National Census, 41% of the Bolivian population over the age of 15 are of Indigenous origin, which equates to around 2.8 million people. However, the National Institute of Statistics' (INE) 2017 projections indicate that this percentage is likely to have increased to 48%. This would suggest that the Indigenous population in Bolivia is around 4.4 million.

Other estimates place the Indigenous population in Bolivia at between 20% and 60% of the total population of 11,306,341. This would mean that there are between 2.2 and 6.8 million Indigenous people in Bolivia.

The variation in estimates is due to the way that people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry (known as mestizo) choose to self-identify in a given census. If given the option, the majority of the population will identify as mestizo.

The Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia belong to 36 recognised ethnic groups, with the largest groups being the Aymara and Quechua. In the Andes, the majority of Indigenous people are Quechua-speaking (49.5%) and Aymara (40.6%), and they self-identify as 16 nations. In the lowlands, the Chiquitano (3.6%), Guaraní (2.5%) and Moxeño (1.4%) peoples are in the majority, and, together with the remaining 2.4%, make up 20 recognised Indigenous Peoples.

What are the main challenges for Bolivia's Indigenous Peoples?

Indigenous peoples in Bolivia, or Native Bolivians, are those with predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. They constitute anywhere from 20 to 60% of Bolivia's population, depending on different estimates and census methodologies.

Historically, Indigenous people in Bolivia suffered many years of marginalization and a lack of representation. While there have been improvements in recent decades, there are still several challenges facing Indigenous Bolivians today.

Political Representation and Self-Governance

Despite the election of Evo Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous president, in 2005, and the establishment of a plurinational state, many Indigenous communities claim that the process to receive autonomy is inefficient and lengthy. The complex interplay between Bolivia's restrictive legal framework, liberal policies, and the concept of Indigenous self-governance presents internal issues and competing interests.

Land Rights and Natural Resource Extraction

Indigenous communities had hoped that the election of Morales would bring greater protections and territorial autonomy. However, problems have persisted, particularly regarding the country's extractive industries, which are strongly promoted by the government. Bolivia's reliance on resource extraction as the main source of revenue and foreign exchange for national development has led to conflicts with Indigenous communities, who wish to protect their ancestral territories.

Environmental Injustice

Environmental injustice is a polarizing issue for Indigenous communities in Bolivia. They have protested against government-backed privatization and eradication of natural resources and landscapes, such as in the case of coca leaf production and the proposed road across the Isiboro-Sécure Indigenous Territory and National Park (TIPNIS).

Systematic Neglect and Social Exclusion

Despite Bolivia's relatively progressive legal framework, many Indigenous communities face challenges similar to those elsewhere in the region. As many as 15 of the country's 36 Indigenous communities are at risk of extinction due to systematic neglect, social exclusion, and geographic isolation. These small communities are marginalized by more dominant Indigenous groups, and their cultural survival is not guaranteed.

Racism and Discrimination

Racism and racial disparities persist in Bolivia, affecting Indigenous communities, particularly women. Indigenous women in urban areas, such as La Paz, have faced insults, discrimination, and denial of service in restaurants, shops, and transportation. Afro-Bolivians, as a minority within a largely Indigenous country, also experience marginalization, high poverty levels, and a lack of political representation.

What is the history of Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia?

Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia, or Native Bolivians, are Bolivians who have predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. They constitute anywhere from 20 to 60% of Bolivia's population of 11,306,341, depending on different estimates. The Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia include 36 recognized ethnic groups, with the largest being the Aymara and Quechua communities. The geography of Bolivia includes the Andes, the Gran Chaco, the Yungas, the Chiquitania, and the Amazon Rainforest.

Indigenous peoples had inhabited territories spanning what is now Bolivia for thousands of years before the arrival of Spanish forces in the early 16th century. By that time, the Inca Empire was ascendant, though severely weakened by internal fighting. Forces led by Francisco Pizarro conquered the area and placed it under colonial rule. In the ensuing centuries, the population, made up predominantly of Aymara and Quechua, was marginalized and exploited for labour in mines and plantations. Despite periodic uprisings, it remained under Spanish rule until after more than 15 years of fighting in the War of Independence, which ended in 1824 with Bolivia declaring itself an independent state.

In the following years, while the country’s wealth and influence increased, the indigenous population remained severely marginalized. Their status remained largely unchanged until the 1952 Bolivian National Revolution, led by the Movimiento Nacional Revolucionario (MNR), ushered in extensive political change, including land reforms and greater inclusion of Aymara and Quechua farmers. The MNR introduced a far-reaching agrarian reform programme, expropriating large tracts of land from hacienda owners and distributing these to indigenous farming communities. The reforms also mobilized rural workers, incorporating them into trade union organizations and cooperatives. Additionally, the MNR government gave indigenous peasants the vote, as most had previously been excluded due to literacy requirements.

In the 1960s and 1970s, social movements such as the Kataraista movement began to include Indigenous concerns in their platforms. The Katarista movement, consisting of the Aymara communities of La Paz and the Altiplano, attempted to mobilize the Indigenous community and pursue an Indigenous political identity through mainstream politics. Although the Katarista movement failed to create a national political party, it influenced many peasant unions.

In 1991, the Bolivian government signed the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, a major binding international convention protecting indigenous rights. In 1993, the Law of Constitutional Reform recognized Indigenous rights, and the following year, the Law of Popular Participation decentralized political structures, giving municipal and local governments more political autonomy. In 1996, the Electoral Law further expanded Indigenous political rights as the national congress transitioned into a hybrid proportional system, increasing the number of Indigenous representatives.

In 2005, Evo Morales, an Indigenous icon and former coca farmer, was elected as the country's first Indigenous president. Morales pursued market-friendly economic policies and invested export revenue in social programs, helping to lift more than two million people out of poverty. With a new constitution in 2009, he changed the name of the country from the Republic of Bolivia to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, reflecting the diverse ethnicities that had felt like second-class citizens for centuries. The new constitution also gave Indigenous communities the right of self-governance and autonomy over their ancestral territories.

However, despite these advances, Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia still face challenges. Environmental injustice has been a polarizing issue, with many Indigenous communities protesting against government-backed privatization and eradication of natural resources and landscapes. Additionally, land rights remain a serious and ongoing issue, with Indigenous communities expressing concerns about the government's granting of extractive concessions on communal land.

What is the future of Bolivia's Indigenous Peoples?

Indigenous people in Bolivia, or Native Bolivians, are those with predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. They constitute 20 to 60% of Bolivia's population, depending on the census and how people self-identify. The largest groups are the Aymara and Quechua, who make up around half of the country's indigenous population.

Historically, Indigenous people in Bolivia suffered marginalization and a lack of representation. However, the late 20th century saw a surge of political and social mobilization in Indigenous communities. This led to important changes, such as the 1993 Law of Constitutional Reform, which acknowledged Indigenous rights in Bolivian culture and society.

In 2005, Evo Morales was elected as the country's first Indigenous president. Morales attempted to establish a plurinational state to expand the collective rights of the Indigenous community. The 2009 constitution recognized the presence of the different communities in Bolivia and gave Indigenous peoples the right to self-governance and autonomy over their ancestral territories.

Despite these advances, Bolivia's Indigenous Peoples still face challenges, particularly in relation to the search for new oil and gas reserves, hydroelectric projects, and extractive industries. These projects often directly impact Indigenous Peoples and peasants inhabiting the territory.

In recent years, there has been progress in consolidating collective property under the status of Community Lands of Origin (TCOs). Additionally, several Indigenous autonomies have commenced the process for accessing self-government.

Looking to the future, there are efforts to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and conserve natural areas through projects such as the Pantanal and the Gran Chaco of South America project. This project aims to improve the management of national parks, support Indigenous territories, and promote sustainable financing systems.

The future of Bolivia's Indigenous Peoples is shaped by ongoing struggles for self-governance and autonomy, as well as efforts to address environmental injustices and conserve their ancestral lands.

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