Culture Shock! Bolivia - A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

Glossary 271

Chaqueo

Annual burning of rainforest lands

or overgrown fields for agriculture

or grazing with disastrous

environmental consequences (short-

term air pollution/long-term soil

degradation)

Choclo Corn on the cob

Cholo/Chola Aymara or Quechua man or woman
with urbanised culture

Chullo Andean woven woollen hat with
earflaps

Chuños Freeze-dried potatoes

Cordillera Mountain range

Cueca

Of all Bolivian dances, this may be

the most exquisite. Folk dances like

the diablada and tinku are more for

group spectacles. You’re more likely

to try a cueca on the dance floor.

The classic cueca song is Viva Mi

Patria Bolivia, a type of ad hoc non-

militaristic national anthem.

Ekeko Dwarf-god of abundance /annual
miniatures festival

Flota Long-distance bus company

Kallawaya

Wandering medicine men and

natural healers from the Apolobamba

region near Pelechuco

Kolla Aymara or highlander

Kollasuyo The Inca name for Bolivia

La Diablada Dance of the Devils, typical group
dance in festivals and Carnaval

Llajhua

Hot sauce with hot pepper, tomato,

onion and herbs

Llapa Equivalent to the ‘baker’s dozen’; a
little extra given to a regular buyer