The llama is a domesticated animal that has played an important role in South American culture for thousands of years.
Pre-Columbian indigenous cultures used their soft wool to make clothing especially in Peru. The clothing worn by the indigenous populations features geometric patterns and beautiful vibrant colors. The clothing also often shows the village people come from. Ponchos, blankets and skirts are very popular as are traditional hats. In addition, the wool from the llama may also be used to create rugs, ropes, and special blankets used to transport young children and goods.
In the ancient Incan empire of Peru, the llama was revered and figurines of these animals were often buried with the dead. There was even a deity called Urcuchillary that was in the form of a multicolored llama. During the early colonial period, llamas were used to bring gold and silver from the mines in the mountains to the coast. After some time though, the Europeans imported their own animals such as horses and donkeys to take over the work. That said, llamas remain important to this day, particularly in the Andean region of South America.
The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. It is approximately 10,000 km² or 4000 mi.² in size. It is found in the southwest of Bolivia at 12,000 feet above sea level. Bolivia is a landlocked country located in south America. Bolivia has approximately 11,000,000 people and is a pluralistic society. There are people of Spanish, African and Asian descent as well as the local indigenous and mestizo population. The Salar de Uyuni is one of Bolivia’s most popular tourist destinations.
El Cid was the nickname given to Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a military leader born in 1043 near Burgos, Spain. El Cid is derived from the Arabic word sayyid meaning sir or lord. Rodrigo was born into a noble family and was raised in the court of King Ferdinand the Great (1015-1065). As a young man he served the king’s son, Sancho II and ascended to the level of commander when Sancho became king in 1065. He quickly became famous for his military prowess in particular in several campaigns against the Muslim Kingdoms in southern Spain in the area known as Al-Andaluz, modern day Andalusia.
The image of La Catrina can be seen all over Mexico in particular during the festivities of Day of the dead. She takes the form of an elegantly dressed Lady from the turn of the 20thCentury. She wears one of the enormous hats that were in fashion at the time including a large feather but her face is that of a grinning skeleton. A Mexican artist and printmaker by the name of José Guadalupe Posada first produced an image of La Catrina in the early 1900s along with many other images of skulls or calaveritas. The idea was to bring political satire and the news of the day to the majority of Mexicans who were still illiterate at the time. He chose to depict La Catrina in fine European clothing to show how unfair life was for the poor majority under then president Porfirio Diaz. It first appeared in 1910, a pivotal year in Mexican history as the Mexican Revolution was about to begin the result of which would be the removal of Porfirio Diaz from government after a near 35-year dictatorship.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German poet and theater director. He wrote many poems, dramas and prose literature. He is known worldwide today. As a child, Goethe lived with his family in Frankfurt and received a very good education. He also studied many languages. Later on he studied law, though he only wanted to write and as such his career as a lawyer was short.
