Bolivian customs
The Plurinational State of Bolivia (Spanish: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia), referred to as Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in central South America and a member of the Union of South American Nations. It covers an area of 1.098 million square kilometers. The country is dominated by plateau terrain, with an average altitude of more than 3000 meters. It is the country with the highest average altitude in the world. In the west is a plateau with an average altitude of more than 3700 meters, and there are many peaks with an altitude of more than 6000 meters, so it is called the "Roof of South America". Its capital, La Paz, has an altitude of more than 3600 meters, making it the highest capital in the world. Even in summer, it is cool in the morning and evening.
Bolivia is a multi-ethnic country, mainly including indigenous peoples: Indians of various ethnic groups; Mestizo: the mixed descendants of European and African immigrants and indigenous people (accounting for about 30% of Bolivia's population) and European and African immigrants (accounting for about 15% of the total population). Spanish is the official language of Bolivia, and indigenous Indians speak Quaya and Aymara.
Among modern Bolivians, the majority are Indians, the rest are Indo-European and white. The Indians look and dress very much like the Xizang people in China, with dark skin. Both men and women like to wear felt hats, and most women like to wear thick multi-layered gowns and skirts. For historical reasons, most Indians live in relatively high altitudes, engaged in grazing or working for mine owners. The largest number of Indians are Aymara and Quechua. The Aymara lived in the northern region and were the earliest residents of the plateau; the Quechua were once residents of the Inca Empire and lived in the river valley. Both groups of Indians have Ailu (or clan) as their basic social and economic unit. Indians account for the majority of the agricultural population and the unskilled labor force in the mines. There are also some forest tribe Indians living in the eastern region. They are mainly divided into Takana, Pano, Aruaco, Chapakula, Botokudo and other branches. They have their own dialects and are engaged in collecting and agriculture, and most of them maintain primitive tribal customs and beliefs.
The Indo-European mestizo, locally known as the Cholo, usually engage in handicrafts or commerce. Whites are mainly descendants of Spaniards, Germans and Italians, generally serving as administrative officials and at the top of society. This appearance has been greatly improved, and the president is now an Indian). There are also a small number of black people who live near Yungas, near the capital of Bolivia, which is a good tourist attraction), descendants of black slaves trafficked from Africa by Spanish colonists. Agriculture and mining are the foundation of the national economy, and agricultural production is relatively backward.
Urban buildings in Bolivia are generally European. Sucre, the capital, is an extremely luxurious and elegant city. The European architecture, dense forests and beautiful scenery of Tarita are rare in South American countries. Houses in rural areas are relatively simple, mostly bungalows made of brick, soil and stone. The eating habits of most people in Bolivia are mainly meat, mainly cattle, pigs, chicken, mutton, etc. Common dishes on the table include tomatoes, potatoes, onions and lettuce.
Bolivians always greet each other in polite terms when meeting and shake hands at the same time. The most commonly used addresses in society are Mr., Mrs., and Ms. Unmarried young men and women are called Young Master and Young Miss respectively. In formal occasions, administrative positions or academic titles should be added before addressing. Bolivians generally bring gifts before being invited to dinner or dance and other events. When meeting Bolivians, don't ask where you are going or what you are doing. Bolivians have taboos similar to those of Mexicans.
Residents in the country wear suits on formal occasions and usually dress more casually. Bolivian men wear a wool hat made of alpaca leather. If the color is red and white, it means that the man is still unmarried; if it is all red, it means that he is married. The traditional dress of Bolivian women is to wear brightly colored shawls, very fat skirts and sandals. It is said that this costume is not an indigenous tradition, but originated from the Toledo region of Spain in the 17th century, and later gradually formed its present style and continues to this day. In addition, Bolivian women wearing a hat means they are married, without a hat means they are unmarried, and they cannot take off their hats except for sleeping. It is said that the Incas believed that the core of society was the temple and that the head of the person was the temple, so they should protect their own "temples".
When talking to Bolivians, you can usually talk about anything, but avoid talking about politics and religion. Don't praise Chile, because the two countries have had border disputes since 1880.
The more lively festival in Bolivia is the Carnival held from February to March every year. Among them, the Carnival in Oruro is the most spectacular. People from major cities across the country and even neighboring countries wear colorful festive costumes, wear various masks, sing and dance, attracting many tourists who come for sightseeing. Every year November 8 is the "Day of Skulls" in Bolivia. On this day, local residents bring the skulls of their loved ones to the church to pray, hoping to bring good luck. Residents in some areas of Bolivia still maintain a mysterious tradition of keeping the skulls of dead loved ones at home as amulets.