8 Questions
What is La Rinconada located on?
A peak in the Altiplano
What is the name of the mountain where La Rinconada is located, also known as?
The Sleeping Beauty
What is the film written by the author about?
Girls who live in harsh places and are educated
What is the significance of the plants mentioned in the text?
They are used for medicinal purposes
What is the purpose of the offerings made by miners to their goddess?
To ensure their safety while working
What was the reason for the abandonment of the Spanish king's mine in the 1700s?
Due to the collapse of the mine caused by glaciers
What is the occupation of women and children in the mining town?
They do outdoors work
What is the payment that miners receive after working for 30 days?
A nugget of gold worth $40
Study Notes
El Dorado Quest
- In South America, El Dorado was believed to be in three locations: Boyacá (emeralds), Potosí (silver), and Cajamarca (gold)
- Conquistador Francisco Pizarro defeated Emperor Atahualpa and his curse, leading to the Spanish conquest of the region
La Rinconada
- La Rinconada is a mining town located on the peak of Mount Ananea in the Altiplano region, with a population of 50,000 inhabitants
- The town is situated 18,000 feet above the Peruvian Andes and is known for its rich gold deposits
- The peak is also referred to as "La Bella Durmiente" or "The Sleeping Beauty"
Author's Experience
- The author traveled to La Rinconada to write a film about girls' education in harsh environments, titled "Girl Rising" and directed by Richard Robbins
Traditional Medicine
- In Lima, the author's native region, traditional medicine is practiced, using plants with pharmacological properties
- Examples include Flores de Bach for melancholy, Muna for chills or bone pain, Pampanis for intestinal gas, and Yahuar Chonca for diarrhea
Mining and Economy
- Miners in La Rinconada offer prayers to their goddess, Pachamama
- In the 1700s, the Spanish king's mine collapsed due to glaciers and was abandoned for 200 years
- Peru is the leading producer of silver and a significant producer of natural gas
- The country is also among the top 5 harvesters of fish in the world
- Gold is a major attraction for multinational companies to invest in Peru
Workplace Dynamics
- Women and children typically work outdoors in the mining industry, while men work in the shafts
- Miners work for 30 days and receive a nugget worth $40 on the 31st day as payment
Local Protests
- There have been protests in Lake Titicaca, demanding that mining operations consider the welfare of local communities
Reflections
- The author finds the trickle-down effect of economic boom and the fleeting moments of joy surprising
Explore the conquest of South America, from El Dorado to the riches of Potosi and Cajamarca, and the story of La Rinconada, a town in the Peruvian Andes.
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