Road Blockades Reduce Andean New Year Celebration in Bolivia

The traditional celebration of Andean New Year 5534, known as 'Willkakuti' in Aymara or 'Inti Raymi' in Quechua, scheduled for Sunday in the ancient citadel of Tiahuanaco, Bolivia, will be significantly reduced this year. Ongoing road blockades across the country are impeding access to the spiritually significant site for indigenous Andean peoples.

Felipe Chura, the mayor of Tiahuanaco, confirmed that the festivities will be limited to local indigenous authorities and 'amautas' (wise elders). The absence of external visitors and tourists is expected to result in substantial economic losses for the municipality, estimated at around 10 million bolivianos ($1.4 million USD) from transportation, commerce, and hospitality.

Chura expressed deep concern over the road blockades, which primarily affect the Andean region of the La Paz department. These disruptions not only hinder the celebration but also disrupt the agricultural cycle, which is intrinsically linked to the festival. The event marks the return of the sun and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, signifying the start of a new agricultural planting season.

Historically, Tiahuanaco, a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 76 kilometers from La Paz, has been the focal point for these celebrations. Hundreds of people typically gather to welcome the first rays of the sun on June 21. The celebration's name has evolved over decades to be more inclusive, from Año Nuevo Aimara to Año Nuevo Andino. The Bolivian government, under Evo Morales, had declared June 21 a national holiday, initially naming it Andean Amazonian New Year.