Bolivian Men Fight for Good Harvest | National Geographic

Summary

In the Bolivian Andes, villagers in the town of Aaga hold a traditional festival called Tinku, where blood is offered to the spirits to ensure a successful potato harvest. Fighters like Hermon Galani (the 'Champion') and Sabino Char prepare for combat, wearing protective cowhide helmets inspired by the Conquistadors. The event pits village against village in a brutal melee that often results in injuries, and sometimes death, as participants aim to impress the Earth spirits with their courage. After the fierce battles, villagers celebrate, hopeful that their sacrifices will lead to a bountiful harvest.

Takeaways

• 🌄 In the Andes of Bolivia, Inca descendants live at 13,000 ft, surviving on the thin mountain soil.
• 🥔 Local farmers in the village of Aaga plant potatoes but believe they need human blood to guarantee a good harvest.
• 💀 A festival called 'Tinku' is held, where villagers engage in ritual combat to provide blood for the earth spirits.
• 🥊 Hermon Galani, known as 'Campion,' is the town's top fighter, preparing to fight in the Tinku festival.
• 🪖 Another fighter, Sabino Char, wears a cowhide helmet modeled after those worn by Conquistadors for protection during the fights.
• 🩸 The Tinku battle pits village against village, and the blood spilled is considered an offering to nourish the spirits for a better harvest.
• 🎶 Musicians signal the beginning of the festival, leading the villagers to a central location for the battle.
• 🤼 Boys as young as 10 participate, and the melee has few rules, often resulting in serious injuries or even death.
• 🥇 The battle is not about personal grudges but to demonstrate strength to the spirits for a fruitful harvest.
• 🍻 After the fights, villagers celebrate, believing they have fulfilled their part in securing a good crop, leaving the rest to the mountain spirits.

Q & A

What is the main activity described in the video script?

The main activity described is the Tinku festival, where villagers in Bolivia participate in ritualistic fighting to offer human blood as a sacrifice to nourish the spirits of the Earth for a good harvest.

Why do the farmers in the Andes of Bolivia believe human blood is necessary?

Farmers believe that for their crops, particularly potatoes, to flourish, the Earth needs more than skilled tilling and good weather—it requires the nourishment of human blood to guarantee a sufficient harvest.

Who are the key figures mentioned in the festival, and what roles do they play?

Two key figures are Hermon Galani, known as Campion (the town's top fighter), and Sabino Char, another fighter. Both are preparing to fight in the Tinku festival, representing their respective villages.

What protective gear does Sabino Char wear, and why?

Sabino Char wears a cowhide helmet modeled after the helmets worn by Conquistadors 500 years ago. The helmet is worn to protect his head during the violent fights.

What is the significance of the fighting in the Tinku festival?

The fighting is a ritual offering to entertain and impress the spirits of the Earth, with the blood spilled believed to nourish the spirits, ensuring a bountiful harvest.

How do villagers choose their opponents in the battle?

Villagers choose their opponents by location, pitting one village against another in battles that date back to ancient times. The village that triumphs is believed to have the strongest spirit and is due the best harvest.

What is the cultural significance of the embrace at the end of many duels?

The embrace signifies that the battles are not personal or about grudges. The goal is not to beat someone up, but to impress the spirits and show respect to one another after the fight.

Are there any risks associated with participating in the Tinku festival?

Yes, the fights are dangerous, and almost every year, someone dies. Despite the protective gear, injuries and fatalities are common during the festival.

What happens after the fighting concludes?

After the fighting, the villagers gather at a bar to share stories and show their scars. They celebrate their participation and make toasts to the Mountain Spirit, hoping the spirits will bless them with a good harvest.

What do the villagers hope to achieve through the Tinku festival?

The villagers hope to gain the favor of the Earth spirits through the sacrifice of human blood. They believe this will result in a bountiful harvest for the coming year.