OSHER 629 - Traditional Peoples and Cultures of South America Today

Despite 500 years of European/Spanish domination of the peoples of South America, some communities have maintained much of their pre-Columbian culture, language, and technology. This course will focus on examples of 'traditional' modern peoples living in both the highlands and the lowlands of South America. Emphasis will be placed on understanding all aspects of their current cultures (such as religion, economy, language, technology, and political organization), a mix of indigenous and European ideas, languages, and technologies. Each culture will be illustrated with slides, textiles, and other portable art acquired during the instructors' many years of fieldwork and travel in the region.