Valley of the Spirits: A Journey in the Lost Realm of the Aymara

by Alan L. Kolata

A fascinating firsthand account of the author's work exploring the past and present of the Aymara Indian's empire that was wealthier and larger than those of the Incas and Mayans. Covers the 15,000 year history of the Aymara civilization detailing its art, politics, religion and commerce. Describes the uplifting story of how Kolata has helped contemporary descendants rediscover their ancient past and reclaim their native culture. Includes new insight into the popular subject of indigenous people's philosophies of nature.

Genres: Bolivia, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 1996

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan L. Kolata's Valley of Spirits combines ethnology, archeology, and even some agriculture as it tells the story of the Aymara empire centered at Tiahuanaco in Bolivia until around AD 1000 a massive long-lasting drought scattered the Aymara peoples. It turns out that the method of agriculture used no longer worked when the level of Lake Titicaca dropped precipitately. Now that that drought has let up, Kolata re-introduced raised fields irrigated by canals, despite the skepticism of the local Aymara. It has turned into a success story, producing a bumper crop even when the other non-raised fields were hit my a severe summer frost.

Valley of the Spirits is a well written introduction to a people about whom most readers know nothing, and it succeeds in piquing their interest.

[Eduardo]

Fascinating interweaving of myths, current Aymara beliefs and archaeological findings. The author has studied Tiahuanaco for over 20 years, and in this book he draws on his copious research to paint an incredible picture of a civilization which left no written record and disappeared almost 1000 ago. Excellent read.