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Martín-Cabrera, Luis, 1972- Sandón Ramos, Lorenzo
Description
Lorenzo Sandón Ramos y su familia han sido miembros de la comunidad de Coyo durante muchas generaciones, desde tiempos inmemoriales. En su entrevista, Lorenzo explica que no se puede sobrevivir solo en un desierto, necesitas de la ayuda comunitaria. En este contexto, cuenta cómo se cosechaba el trigo en la minga (el trabajo comunitario) para todo el ayllu y contrapone esta actividad con los trabajos en la minería que, en general, han sido muy negativos para la comunidad. Más adelante relata que sus padres sí hablaban kunza, pero que él perdió su lengua materna al trasladarse a Calama, porque allá en la ciudad se burlaban de su lengua y su cultura y tuvo que adaptarse. Sin embargo, ahora que se devolvieron al ayllu de Coyo, sus nietas están aprendiendo kunza y saben más que él. Asimismo, Lorenzo cuenta cuáles son los principales ritos y ceremonias de la comunidad de Coyo: el pago a la tierra mirando al volcán Licancabur y la celebración del carnaval. En la segunda parte explica que la Laguna Tebenquiche era una fuente esencial para subsistencia no solo del ayllu de Coyo, sino tambien de todos los ayllus que están alrededor de la laguna, porque les permitía llevar a sus animales a pastar durante el verano y el otoño y sobrevivir al paisaje seco del desierto. Cuenta también cómo eran los huevos de flamenco y cómo se comían cocidos en las aguas termales del volcán Licancabur. Finalmente, Lorenzo constata que en la laguna Tebenquiche cada vez hay menos agua, porque los políticos invocan la ley indígena, pero no la aplican. De desaparecer la laguna Tebenquiche, eso significaría no sólo la muerte de los animales, sino también de los seres humanos. En este sentido, Lorenzo cuenta que la Minera Soquimich (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM)) nunca realizó una consulta para que se aprobará la explotación del litio, mientras que la minera Rockwood Lithium les ofreció dinero, pero tampoco celebró una consulta. Por eso, Lorenzo se opone a la minería del litio, porque el litio no es progreso para él, ya que el litio se puede sacar una vez, pero no sirve como el agua para renovar el ciclo de la vida. — Lorenzo Sandón Ramos and his family have lived, generation after generation, from time immemorial in the community of Coyo. In the interview, Lorenzo explains that it is impossible to survive in a desert all by yourself. You need the help of the community. In this context, he tells how they used to harvest wheat in the community collectively, celebrating mingas (collective labor). He compares this activity with work in the mining companies in the cities, which, in general, have been very detrimental for the community. Later on, he tells that his parents spoke Kunza (the atacameño language), but that he lost his maternal language when he moved to Calama. In the city, they made fun of his language and his culture, but he had to adapt. However, now that they have returned to the ayllu of Coyo, her granddaughters are learning Kunza, and they speak it better than him. On the other hand, Lorenzo recounts the different rites and ceremonies of the Coyo community: the payment to earth looking at the Licancabur volcano, and the carnivals. In the second part, Lorenzo explains that the Tebenquiche lagoon was an essential source of subsistence not only for the community of Coyo, but also for all the other ayllus located around the lagoon, because its waters allowed them to bring their cattle during the summer and fall to eat grass and survive in a otherwise very dry environment. He also describes the flamingo eggs and how they ate them cooked in the thermal waters of the Licancabur volcano. Finally, Lorenzo states that the Tebenquiche lagoon has less water than before, because the politicians invoke the indigenous law, but do not adhere to it. If the lagoon were to disappear, not only would the animals die, but also the humans. In this regard, Lorenzo explains that Soquimich (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM)) never held a consultation to approve the exploitation of lithium, while the Rockwood Lithium mining company offered them money, but did not hold a consultation either. For this reason, Lorenzo opposes lithium mining, because lithium is not progress to him, since lithium can be extracted once, but it does not act as water does to renew the cycle of life. UC San Diego Library, UC San Diego, La Jolla, 92093-0175 (https://library.ucsd.edu/dc/contact) La comunidad de Coyo fue consultada para la creación de esta colección digital y, por lo tanto, retiene el control de su herencia cultural (lenguajes, prácticas, tecnologías, recursos naturales, territorios e información personal). Para cualquier uso que vaya más allá de la investigación o la enseñanza, busque por favor el permiso y el consentimiento de la comunidad. The Coyo community was consulted in the creation of this collection and they retain control of their Indigenous cultural heritage (languages, knowledge, practices, technologies, natural resources, territories, and personal information). For use beyond research or teaching, please seek permission from and give attribution to the community.
Type
text
Identifier
ark:/20775/bb50632945
Language
Spanish
Subject
Interview Oral history Kunza (language) Lithium mines and mining Flamingos Politics and government Volcanoes Atacameño (Lickan Antay) (Indigenous People, Chile) Rites and ceremonies Sacred Mountains Lagoons Coyo (Chile) Atacama Desert
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