Chapter 4. Independence! Bolivia, Alpacas and Mondongo

Firstly I have to apologise for taking so long between posts, I blame my school friends Dar, Chrissy and Jay for distracting me. But I have the freedom to be distracted because of my independence.

Independence is important to me, being an independent dyer and colourist.  It allows me the freedom to move my business where I want it to go, and keeps my ideas and motivation alive. I enjoy colouring yarns and my business not just for this reason, but also when I talk to customers who really love the product and my bright colours. 

Today the South American country of Bolivia celebrates its Independence day (6thAugust 1825). Happy Independence day Bolivia! 

Independence was hard fought and won in South America by a brave group of Liberatadores, lead by Simon Bolivar in the early 1800’s. The wave of independence from Spain and Portugal across latin America was farily swift, often bloody and resulted in many subsequent inter continental wars as political borders were re-drawn. 

Despite a loosely co-ordinated campaign for independence across the Spanish controlled countries of central and south America, it never resulted in a united states of south America in the way the USA came together. This was because of cultural differences between the many different nations of indigenous peoples across the Andes, the Amazon and the lowland plains and deserts. In fact, Bolivia’s official name is The Plurinational State of Bolivia, in respect of the many indigenous nations within its territory, with no less than 36 languages recognized by the government. 

Officially Bolivia has 2 flags, one the maritime tricolor of Red Yellow Green representing the modern State.  The second flag, the Wiphala, is the old Inca flag, used officially since 2009. It is a much more dazzling flag of multicloured diagonal pixelated stripes. Each of the seven colours signifies an aspect of Andean life and the flag is common across all Andean countries, however it is only Bolivia that uses it alongside its national flag as a recognized flag. It’s very cool.

We regard independence and the freedom of self determination as a cornerstone of democracy. Sadly there are those that try to peddle the idea that having friends and neighbours who share a common philosophy and way of life with us are not worthy of respect, partnerships and the freedom to interact. The UK’s withdrawal from Europe is one example. I find it strange that the lies that were pushed for us to leave the EU involved the rhetoric of the UK gaining Independence from the “tyranny of the EU”, when in fact the EU is a wonderful institution of inclusiveness, who’s very existence is to prevent conflict and distribute opportunity and hope fairly across the continent. A continent that has enjoyed the longest period of peace and properity since the forming of the EU in it entire history.

But I don’t want to have a grizzle about Brexit, you can tune in to James O’Brien for that. Because once I started thinking about Bolivia, I became really intrigued about how colonization and independence shaped this nation, both politically, culturally, and artistically (and I include crafts and decorative arts and architecture).

Firstly, because it was lunch time and my tummy was grumbly, I looked at Bolivian food and drink. Now I don’t recall ever dining out at a fantastic Bolivian restaurant in my life. And all I really found was a cuisine that is more Spanish Tapas than anything. One dish that I really want to try though is Mondongo and it is made with chicharron – in this case crispy fried pork. Yummo. You can look at this here.

Then I started to look at the craft and textile traditions and I found this amazing photographic essay by Anne Laure Camilleri as she documented the Andi’ art project, an initiative by French designer Veronique Valdez to examine the decline of traditional textile manufacture in the Andes. It’s really interesting and worth a look here.

For my two cents worth, it saddens me that traditional fabrics and techniques are disappearing from these communities as fleece is sent off to factories. It’s another example of how big business and mass production can be bad for local indigenous communities and independent artists and craftspeople.

Ultimately though, it strikes me that Bolivia has it all going on. It has a high GDP, a good social fabric that values its indigenous peoples and a thriving economy. I only wish we saw more about countries like Bolivia in the mainstream news.

Sucre, The constitutional capital of Bolivia

So, I wanted to write a few words about my new venture into dyeing Alpaca yarn.  Not knowing much about the husbandry of these lovely fuzzy South American animals, I did some rummaging around the inter web and spoke to my lovely suppliers to get the story straight.  I’ll be talking about them in another blog post later.  Needless to say, they are farmed sustainably and have good lives and I’m confident they meet the cruelty free standards I demand. They’re also useful to keep on the farm as they protect your chickens from foxes!  And they’re CUTE!

Along this theme I have started a new colour, which is red based and at this stage its working name is Carminella. This shade is based on the Bolivian Cochineal which is the source of Carmine.  Its full of deep reds and browns and some dramatic magenta and olive just to spice it up!  A bit like that yummy Mondongo that I cant seem to get out of my head. 

I’m also trying to introduce a speckle into the dye, it’ll involve a paint brush and the very messy application of raw dye. I cant wait for that. Its not normally a feature of my yarns so it something new for me and I’m very excited.

But for now, I’m just going to arrange my colours in the studio in honour of the national colours of the Bolivian flag, raise a glass of Singani and toast to the wonderful Plurinational State of Bolivia! Salud!

Traditional colourful aduyao garments dyed with Cochineal pinks and carmine.

The Wiphala

Baile de los tobas, Traditional festivals are still held right across the Andes

Raise a glass of Bolivia’s national drink, Singani

Bolivian flag colours

Crimson Russet, Sunbeams and Spruce Royale

Guess who’s now dyeing Alpaca!