Resumen

LECOQ, Patrice  y  M, Sergio Fidel. SYMBOLIC GARMENTS OF CAMELIDS AND AGRO-PASTORAL RITES IN THE SOUTH OF BOLIVIA. Textos Antropológicos [online]. 2003, vol.14, n.1, pp. 7-54. ISSN 1025-3181.

In the Andean ambit, from pre-Columbian epochs, the llamas and alpacas had a great importance, and the llama was also usedas a carrying animal in caravans. Many garments, such as flowers ftikasA crowns, and bells, express the strong relations, in many cases symbolic, that bound these animáis with their owners, and show the sacred character of these camelias. This article tries to explain some ofthe meanings ofthis garments and the fundamental role ofthe llamas for the Andean shepherd, starting from the study of community of shepherds located in the Department of Potosí, Bolivia. After presenting the geographic characteristics ofthe community studied, the two most important periods ofeconomic and ritual activity are described, on one hand, the trip ofthe Harneros towards the oriental valleys between July and August, andón the other hand, the marking ofthe animáis in the ritual ofthe señalkuy, made inApril, that expresses the privileged relations that link men with their animáis and with the divinities. Finally, some hypothesis about the possible ritual meanings ofboth activities and ofthe distinct garments that the llamas wear in their realization are addressed.