Although the exact size of the African diaspora in Bolivia is unknown, there are estimated to be at least 25,000 Afro-Bolivians today. They predominantly live in Las Yungas, a narrow passage of forest situated on the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains.
Villages with high Black populations include Coroico, Mururata, Chicaloma, Calacala, Coscoma, and Irupana. Due to hazardous roads, steep terrain and rock slides, these communities remain largely cut of from the rest of Bolivia, despite being less than 150 miles away from La Paz, the cultural capital of the country. Afro-Bolivians speak a mixture of Spanish and the indigenous language Aymara, and are mostly of the Roman Catholic faith.
As was the case in so many Latin American countries during the Spanish colonial period, from the mid-1500s onwards enslaved Africans were trafficked to Bolivia to replace the enslaved indigenous workforce whose numbers dramatically dropped due to disease, war and the brutality of the Spanish regime. They were put to work in the silver mines of Potosí, where they endured appalling conditions including cave-ins, explosions and toxic fumes, which led to high mortality rates.
Slavery was abolished in Bolivia in 1825, when the country declared its independence from Spain. The Afro-Bolivian population largely relocated to Las Yungas region, where they intermarried with the indigenous Aymara population. This led to the fusion of Afro-Aymaran dress, music, food and customs that remain a staple of Afro-Bolivian culture to this day.
One of the most visible legacies of African culture in Bolivia is the Saya music of the Afro-Bolivian community. Saya music blends Andean instruments with African drums and other percussive instruments.
Both historically and today, Afro-Bolivians are often gravely overlooked and marginalised by the Bolivian government. Bolivia is the second poorest country in Latin America after Haiti, and Afro-Bolivians are disproportionately affected. It was only in 2007 that the Bolivian government recognised Afro-Bolivians as a distinct cultural group, and it was as late as 2010 when a law was passed actually criminalizing racism and discrimination.
That having been said, Afro-Bolivians are incredibly proud of their African heritage and have worked hard to preserve their culture. The Afro-Bolivian community even has its own king, traditionally from the town of Mururata, a title which is passed down the generations – the current King is Julio Pinedo.
September is Afro-Bolivian month, and the 23rd of September is Bolivia’s National Day of Afro-Bolivian Culture and People.