WHAT IT MEANS ANATA

A BIT OF HISTORY ANDINA?

The celebration of Anata is usually

made in February, movable date, but
is done in the rainy season, when the
plants are in full bloom. For the An-
dean world is a ritual time, and
therefore sacred plot where the An-
dean gods, the apus, Achachilas,
Uywiris and mainly to the Pachama-
ma or Mother Earth. In the way of be-
ing Andean Aymara families Ch’alla
(thanks) to the Pachamama by the
first fruits of planting. And this appre-
ciation is extended to the whole of
nature, animal, house, property, etc.
The feast of Anata, which in Aymara means
game is pre-Hispanic tradition. The Jesuit ANATA ANDINA
Ludovico Bertonio in his vocabulary Aymara
(1612), tells us that party is Añatana and
games. It is a time of joy or Kusisiña. Anata
on the relationship that exists between jaqi
(person), Nature, divinity manifests. It is a
time of renewal, joy ritual game between
families and nature.
TRADITION
AND
CULTURE
THE FESTIVITY OF THE “ANATA AN-
THE CARNIVAL
The celebration of Anata is expected by The Anata Andina parade, on the other
the whole community. At the head of the hand, is a public performance that takes
first Jilaqata authority such as the feast place in the city of Oruro a few days before
of the first harvest, the libation of Sa- Carnival Organised by the Oruro branch of
yana and sakaqoilus is organized; the the National Peasant Federation of Rural
tikancha animal. At this time the family Workers (FSTUCO)it is the largest of several
and community ties are restored, they THE DANCES OF THE ANATA ANDINA. rural parades that enter the urban space
visit the godparents, godchildren, and around the same period, all of which involve
The dances that are performed at this
the entire commun. ritual dancing and music performed along
time of Anata, are Qhachwa (Dance of
the streets of Oruro. In its overall shape, the
Love), the anatiris (Dance of anata),
Anata Andina is similar to the main Carnival
Chaywanata (Dance of the Potato) and
parade and follows its circuit, with coordinat-
Muceñada (Dance of Youth).
ed dancing troupes crossing the city, though
used to play the accompanying music Anata dances pertain to rural practices the
THE CELEBRATION OF ANATA
bear greater similarity to the hand-made instruments
The celebration of Anata is a common
instruments, such as Pinkillos or Tarkas.
traditional route around the field. We
can talk about three times of celebra-
tion. The first is the family celebration or
to be known as the party girl or uru jiska
anata; the second is the great commu-
nity celebration or party or jach’a Anata
community uru; the third is the bachelor
party or cacharpaya.