Amber+-+CD+-+SP13


 * Resume: **

//Name:// Yana //Culture:// Quechua //Aspects you may be indifferent about when considering me for this position:// I know you may feel that Quechua is too isolated, seeing as they have gone through such little change and globalization. But I see it as dedication and honor. It shows that we as Quechua people are not mainstream or easily influenced. We are independent and traditional. That will ensure some difference in the UN, rather than just representing cultures that are shockingly similar. //Aspects of Culture:// Read below to learn more about our magnificent culture. //Globalization:// Read below to better understand our dedication and uniqueness as proud Quechua people.


 * Aspects of Culture **

__Language-__  The language of Quechua is spoken by almost 11,000,000 people along the pacific coast of South America. It is often referred to it as “Runa Simi,” which means “language of the people.” This language can be dated back to the days of the glorious Inca empire. The Quechua people are direct descendents of the Inca. They continue to speak Quechua in order to preserve culture and honor their ancestors.

__Beliefs-__  The majority of the Quechua people follow the Andean religion. Andean started as a combination of Pre-Columbian and Catholic beliefs. In present times, the Quechua integrate Christianity into their religious beliefs. There is believed to be 4 Gods: Hunan Pacha the God of the celestial realm in the sky, Uku Pacha the God of the inner Earth realm, Cay Pacha the God of the outer Earth realm, where humans reside, and Con-Tici Viracocha Pachayachachic the God that created all of the 3 realms. Each of the Gods have human attributes that promote social cohesion, connecting Gods and humans together. The Quechua people celebrate some Catholic/Christian holidays that you have probably heard of, like Easter and Christmas. They also celebrate additional holidays that have been around since the Inca empire. These holidays are called the Inca Sun Festival, where they worship the Sun, and the Inti Raymi Festival, celebrating the June solstice. The Quechua also believe that birth, puberty, marriage, and death should be celebrated, which they do through multiple performed rituals.

__Values-__  The Quechua people stay true to their ancestors’ culture in many different ways. For example, the majority of Quechua speak the same language as the Inca had and they have not changed their beliefs that date back to the Inca empire, although they have integrated Christianity into them. Knowing this, I can see that the Quechua value respect and integrity. They respect their ancestors in such a way that they keep their elder traditions and rituals alive today. They show integrity by adhering to their moral principles. The Quechua believe in something called utilitarianism, which means that your moral excellence is determined by your usefulness. So for a Quechua individual to achieve goodness, they must consider the outcome of all of their actions and also stand by their morals.

__Behaviors-__  The Inti Raymi Festival was first celebrated by the people of the Inca empire. The Quechua people, being very involved in their heritage, continues to celebrate this holiday, the June solstice. On this day, there is a lot of food, dancing, socializing and one llama must be sacrificed to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. Pachamama is also worshiped on a holiday called Martes de Challa. On this day, a great feast is cooked by the Quechua women and later buried by the people, candies are thrown all over the ground, and incense is burned. These are all offerings to Pachamama. The difference now is, that Pachamama is associated with not only being Mother Earth, but also as the Virgin Mary, ever since Spain conquered Quechuan areas and inflicted the religion of Catholicism upon them.


 * Cultural Change **

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__“Avoiding Change”-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> English is common in most cultures of the world. Students are taught it as a second language in school. This is becoming a threat to the language of Quechua. Many people who speak Quechua and are a part of their culture, are against globalization and imperialism. In other words, they do not wish to extend their culture to other parts of the world or exchange ideas with other cultures. Like the structures of the Inca empire, people of Quechua remain intact with their traditions and cultural ties, refusing to be swayed. They might drift or crumble away sometimes, but the structure of their culture is still unbroken.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Filtered Globalization-__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Traditional Quechuan clothing is still worn by women. They wear the polleras, a colorful skirt made with bayeta and decorated with puyto, a colorful handmade design. They also wear ajotas, sandals made from recycled tire, and monteras, colorful hats with different embellishments depending on the region in which they live. But mens clothing has changed from traditional Quechua clothing, to clothing that is similar to the U.S. For example, the Quechua men used to dress in dark wool knee-length handwoven bayeta pants, but have now adapted to synthetic football shirts and tracksuit pants. Although they still wear their colorful ponchos to large gatherings and festivals, Quechua mens clothing has changed drastically due to globalization.

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bibliography: //

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Countries and Their Cultures." Quechua. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stenner, Tammy. "A Historical Overview of Linguistic Imperialism and Resistance in Peru." N.p., 2011. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Weston, Mike. "My Peru - A Guide to the Culture and Traditions of the Andean Communities of Peru." My Peru - A Guide to the Culture and Traditions of the Andean Communities of Peru. Peru Treks, 2007. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.