americanbolivian

[americanbolivian]

Meet ABC member Jessica Marza 

Jessica Marza, a Bolivian actress is part of the cast of the limited series “The Green Veil” along with John Leguizamo, John Ortiz, Hani Furstenberg, and Irene Bedard.

This series is based on real events with a sci-fi twist.

Available for free on The Network platform.

Jessica was born in Oruro Bolivia, she moved to the United States at the age of four. She studied acting in New York and has worked on many projects since then. Tune in for the series premiere on April 30 only on The Network.

Jessica Marza with John Leguizamo filming "The Green Veil"

All images and copyright are reserved for Jessica Marza Ⓒ

#jessica marza #bolivian american actress #american bolivian #american bolivian collective

[americanbolivian]

Cejay and Brian — the Bolivian wife & husband wedding photographers + videographers behind Alma Photography. They're based in Chicago and often taken abroad.

www.photographybyalma.com

Instagram: @alma.photog

Recently Cejay and Brian were in Cochabamba visiting family and did a styled shoot with his cousin and his wife. See the video here:

" Hey there! We're Cejay and Brian both from Bolivian parents. My (Cejay) parents are from Cochabamba and Brian's parents are from La Paz. We were born in the U.S. but our Bolivian customs and traditions were instilled in us since we were little.

Brian and I met through our moms in 2016. We started dating in 2018 and got married in 2022. On our first trip to Bolivia together (2019), we adopted our dog son Inca and brought him back to the U.S. with us. He's a huge part of our life like legit, we're obsessed.

I (Cejay) go to Bolivia every year to visit my grandma. I love being there, it is my home away from home. When I competed in pageants years ago, I won the title of Miss Bolivia Chicago. I remember endless nights revisiting the history of our land and polishing my Spanish so that I could represent our country with pride (my parents quizzed me every night). After I turned my crown in, I decided to buy a one-way ticket and live in Bolivia. It was the best time of my life. When I came back, I competed in Miss Illinois Latina and won that title.

From then on, I made it my mission to spread the word about the beautiful wonders in Bolivia. The landscapes, the people, the traditions, the dances. My biggest influences have been my parents. They always supported my dreams no matter how "crazy" or "farfetched" they seemed and believe me, I had plenty of wild ones.

My grandma is also a huge influence of mine. When my parents started their own business here, my grandma came from Bolivia to help raise me and my brothers. She taught us the magic of adventures which is how I have led my life till this very day. Never afraid to leap into the next best thing.

Brian's grandfather was a famous movie director based out of La Paz. Brian has many fond memories of his grandpa and watching him build his model airplanes. Brian comes from a family of creatives. He grew up playing the guitar and has performed on many stages. He is very talented and plays with his entire heart. He also taught himself how to play the bass and the drums. While he still plays shows and private events from time to time, Brian's attention pivoted the moment his mother gifted him one of his grandfather's cameras.

When we decided to pursue photography together, it quickly became a passion of ours as we both come from creative realms. We took an intro to photography class together for fun and then realized we really enjoyed the craft. We decided to focus our creativity on couples and weddings because we like sharing and witnessing other people's happy. "

-Cejay and Brian

All images and copyright are reserved for Alma Photography  Ⓒ

#americanboliviancollective #alma photography #Youtube

[americanbolivian]

Nohely Guzmán Narváez

I spoke with Nohely Guzmán Narváez, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Geography at UCLA. A graduate of the LLILAS Master's program in 2021, she won the Best Thesis Award for “‘Esta carretera nos atraviesa’: Indigenous girls’ body-territory mapping in the emergence of Chinese capital in the Bolivian Amazon.” Nohely is from La Paz and is also the co-founder of Jasy Renyhê, an Indigenous, Peasant, and Urban Women Researchers Collective based in La Paz.

Her research is supported by the UCLA Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy as well as by the Society of Woman Geographers (SWG). Nohely is the recipient of the Gender, Place and Culture "New and Emerging Scholars 2023" award, along with the American Association of Geographers Cultural and Political Ecology (COPE) "Scholar-Activist Award" and the Feminist Geographies Specialty Group Best Research Proposal Award of this year. Currently, Nohely is a Mellon/American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) fellow, and is conducting field research in Beni, Bolivia.

By Charlene Adams

CH: Please Introduce yourself, and your work:

NOHELY:

“I am from La Paz, I work with indigenous communities, in particular women and girls in the Amazon, in Beni.

Initially what drew me to the Amazon was the construction of a highway through the Territorio Indigena Multi-Etnico (TIM) and its neighbor, the Territorio Indigena Moxeño-Ignaciano (TIMI). This highway was being built by a Chinese company, and I wanted to explore how it was impacting and transforming the ways in which these territory's communities were relating to their land and transforming their everyday lives as a consequence.

In this process, I've engaged in creative and artistic methodologies that actually led me to stage an art gallery exhibit in La Paz, Bolivia. This exhibit responded to the communities 'girls' desire to showcase their work, specifically, their embodied maps that tell their own stories with the construction of the highway.

Recently I have changed my focus a little. I am now following a somewhat different and complementary process. For my dissertation, I will be writing about indigenous autonomy.

The territory I work with has just gotten its official recognition as an autonomous territory,

and I'll look into how this territory negotiates the meaning of living autonomously with the state, and also with the five peoples that inhabit it.

Nohely Guzmán Narváez with historical leader Esteban Tamo

CH: Is it hard to get recognition as an indigenous community in Bolivia?

NOHELY: "For them, it has been really hard.

They fought for it for 12 years and finally just this weekend they elected their first indigenous president. Their first indigenous government.

For most, this is like the beginning of a whole new era. My dissertation will be precisely on that, focusing on how the indigenous communities make their decisions, what do they prioritize, and how the meaning of living autonomously changes over time.

What does it mean to be indigenous for them? What does it mean to be autonomous for them?

I would not want to speak for anybody here, but many of my collaborators have reminded me of this territory’s history, of all the violence, pain, and humiliation they have faced against, for instance, ganaderos (cattle ranchers and hacendados).

Many, with tears in their eyes, see this as the end of a long history of subordination, as the historical reclaiming of what ancestrally belongs to them,..

and also as the promise of a better future for new generations.  "

On her organization Jasy Renyhê:

NOHELY: " I am the co-founder of a waveless feminist organization based in La Paz, Bolivia.

It's a space where indigenous women, artists, art therapists, photographers, researchers, and activists meet to imagine new feminisms and new planetary futures with the Amazon at the center.

For example, we have two art therapists on our team. They have been working on therapeutic approaches to healing with indigenous women.

This work and the lessons we learned in the Amazon is now expanding to cities like El Alto as well.

I find these new spaces really exciting and inspiring.

Being a member of Jasy Renyhê has allowed me to do different kinds of things. Lately, and given that I’m in school here in LA and cannot be in person in the territory, I’ve spent a good portion of my time applying for community grants. These grants are oriented at supporting communities’ needs. What I do is I meet with leaders or authorities, I listen to what they need, what they want to do, and how they imagine the solutions or project would play out on the ground.

Then,

I do the work of translating those everyday needs and experiences into a language that's understandable to donors, non-profits, and decision-makers.

Once I've made sure I understand the communities' needs, I write the project proposals, discuss the details with the community authorities and if they approve the proposal, I submit them.

If I'm lucky and I get the funding, the entirety of it goes to the communities.

 Recently, we were granted funding to conduct a project that centers women’s knowledge on their forest, their practices to manage it, and their relationship with traditional medicine.

This project will be conducted by the women of the Natividad de El Retiro community. 

This component is an important aspect that influences my research, and that I think is pretty central, as it shapes my relationship with the communities. We have learned to communicate in unique ways, and have built a strong relationship, with a lot of trust. This has also helped me learn from them in different ways as I accompany the process every step of the way. "

Instagram: @nhly_gn

Jasy Renyhê, an Indigenous, Peasant, and Urban Women Researchers Collective:

Website: https://jasyrenyhe.com/

Instagram: @jasyrenyhe

Nohely Guzmán Narváez with Indigenous Authorities

All images and copyright are reserved for Nohely Guzmán Narváez  Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #amazon #beni bolivia #nohely guzman narvaez #bolivian amazon #bolivia #indigenous #native women #Youtube

[americanbolivian]

Lola Ruiz is a Bolivian tattoo artist who has been based in Washington DC and New York for a little over 4 years.

Website: https://www.latintadelola.com/

Instagram: @latintadelola

" My name is Lola Ruiz, I am 25 years old, I was born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and throughout my childhood,

I grew up between Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba.

My family is from the Chaco region, bordering Argentina. I am a tattoo artist who has been based in Washington DC and New York for a little over 4 years. I had the opportunity to come here to grow as an artist and be part of the best tattoo shops in the country as well as participating in several tattoo conventions. By prioritizing my career, I had to leave many things behind that I miss a lot about Bolivia but will reconnect with over time.

I have been tattooing for almost 8 years, taking my art to every corner of the world, always carrying with me my culture and pride of being Bolivian.

The style of tattoos I create is centered around the flora and fauna that surrounded me during my upbringing in Bolivia, a country full of natural richness and a marvelous ecosystem and traditions.

I always try to incorporate the essence of Bolivia's diverse ecosystem and the graceful harmony between its wildlife and breathtaking scenery. "

-Lola Ruiz

All images and copyright are reserved for Lola Ruiz  Ⓒ

#americanboliviancollective #american bolivian collective #tattoo artist #lola ruiz #Bolivian tattoo artist

[americanbolivian]

Gabriela Rojas is a Bolivian American designer specializing in graphic design with a BFA from George Mason University. She is the Chief Marketing Officer and Brand Designer at Mpanadas. Her family owns and operates Airbnb's in Cochabamba, Bolivia. These are a few of the projects she is currently working on:

Website: https://www.gabrielarojasdesign.com/

Instagram Design: @gabyr.design

Mpanadas: @mpanadasusa (cafe, DMV based)

Website: https://mpanadasusa.com/

HRP Inversions @hrp.inversiones (Airbnb, Cbba Bolivia)

Website: https://lnk.bio/HRP.inversiones

LED Billboard Truck @leadbillboard.ad (LED Billboard Truck, DMV based)

Website: https://leadbillboard.com/

Fusion Wireless @fusion_wireless (Wholesale, DMV based)

Website: https://fusion-wireless.com/

"I hail from the vibrant city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, and my journey brought me to the United States when I was just 18 months old.

My incredible parents each hail from different regions of Bolivia, making my heritage a beautiful blend of the country's diversity.

My mother's side originates from the tropical paradise of Santa Cruz, while my father's roots trace back to the enchanting department of Cochabamba.

Although my early memories of Bolivia are limited, my connection to my cultural roots remains strong, thanks to my wonderful family. We've always celebrated and embraced Bolivian traditions, keeping our heritage alive. Growing up in Falls Church, Virginia, I took pride in sharing my identity and origin. My passion for design blossomed at a young age, and I eagerly expressed my creativity in various ways."

-Gabriela Rojas

Mpanadas Cafe, DMV

About her businesses:

"I'm excited to share that I have several businesses that beautifully represent the essence of our Bolivian culture. Currently, I hold the role of Chief Marketing Officer and Brand Designer at Mpanadas since this past June. We're enthusiastic about welcoming more individuals to experience the South American-inspired ambiance at our café! You can find us on Instagram @mpanadasusa.

Additionally, there's another venture in my family that contributes significantly to our country's hospitality...

My uncle operates an Airbnb in Cochabamba, Bolivia, which offers a truly extraordinary experience with its unique interior design. It's something that visitors from around the world would undoubtedly relish, creating memorable stays for everyone. This experience is sure to leave a lasting impression and encourage return visits, allowing them to truly explore the beauty that Bolivia has to offer."

-Gabriela Rojas

AirBnB , Cochabamba, Bolivia

Gabriela Rojas

All images and copyright are reserved for Gabriela Rojas Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #gabriela rojas #graphic designer #mpanadas #americanboliviancollective

[americanbolivian]

Yvonne Senat Jones is a Bilingual Afro-Latina actress. You've probably seen her on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and NBC Peacock. Most notably, she can be seen in her supporting role opposite Jennifer Lopez in The Mother on Netflix. She is also Disney's First Afro-Latina Queen in Sneakerella. Read more below for an in-depth bio!

Instagram: @yvonnesenat

IMDb: Yvonne Senat Jones - IMDb

Yvonne at the premiere of "The Mother" on Netflix

A unique fact about Yvonne is that she carries a picture of her grandparents whenever she goes on set to film.

Her family's last name is "Carrasco"

Yvonne's family does missionary work every year in Bolivia.

Biography:

"Yvonne Senat Jones, a Bilingual Afro-Latina actress, is in several MAJOR projects in 2023 for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and NBC Peacock! Most notably, she can currently be seen in her Supporting Role opposite Jennifer Lopez in The Mother on Netflix (Dir.Niki Caro), which is in the top 10 Most Watched Netflix English Films of All Time. She is Recurring in NBC Peacock’s Based On A True Story (Dir. Alex Buono and EP Craig Rosenberg) as Detective Jessie Peterson. Yvonne is also Recurring in the Disney+ Original Sports Drama The Crossover (Dir.George Tillman Jr. and EP LeBron James) as Janice Rojas-Pierre. Her Supporting Role of Laurel opposite Winona Ryder in Gone In The Night is streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime.(Dir.Eli Horowitz)

And her Disney+ TV Musical Feature, Sneakerella, won the 2022 Emmy for Outstanding Fiction Special! In this film, she earned the title of Disney’s first Afro-Latina Queen, Denise King. (Dir.Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum). She is perhaps best known for her starring role as Tally in Tyler Perry’s BET series, Ruthless, also recurring on BET’s The Oval, while guest starring on such series as The Orville, Code Black, and S.W.A.T. She holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelors in Theatre Arts from Cal State University, Long Beach. She also spent 8 years teaching acting to students from at-risk communities with the non-profit organization, City Hearts LA.  Senat Jones is repped by FSE Talent, AFA Prime Talent Media and attorney Grace Kallis at Ginsburg Daniels Kallis."

All images and copyright are reserved for Yvonne Senat Jones Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #yvonne senat jones #americanboliviancollective

[americanbolivian]

Paula Lino is an embroidery artist from Santa Cruz, who currently resides in Columbia Maryland.

I show my latest creations and people can contact me for custom orders through Instagram:

Instagram: @oliepolie.art

"Parque Madidi - Bolivia: a Place where the Amazon and The Andes meet together"

"I am an embroidery artist from Santa Cruz, who embarked on a journey abroad in 2022, seeking new adventures and opportunities. The decision to move to the US was driven by my desire to explore and grow in a different environment.

My roots lie in my Vallegrandino heritage, where strong and creative women have shaped my family's lineage.

In times of turbulence, especially during the challenges posed by COVID, handmade embroidery became my refuge. As an introverted and anxious person, embroidery has been a way for me to cope with my inner struggles, resulting in beautiful pieces crafted with love and threads. Until this time, my art has been inspired by cartoons, nature, and animals.

Now, with over three years of experience and living abroad, I feel a strong urge to reconnect with my Bolivian roots using needle and thread.

I decided I will start this journey of getting closer with my culture by making art."

-Paula Lino

All images and copyright are reserved for Paula Lino  Ⓒ

#emboridery #american bolivian collective #americanboliviancollective

[americanbolivian]

Hareth Andrade-Ayala is the Bolivian American founder of “Amor Vincit” , a vegan and cruelty free beauty brand. 

I would love to share Amor Vincit’s story. This is a creative project I decided to begin as a result of much creative suppression and making the choice to live more authentically .This is a developing brand that is bringing a community people who share this value of authenticity and self-expression in beauty together. The products out now are mainly lip tints which are easy hydration and sensitive to the environment. We have a great team working on expanding the vision and we would love to engage more Bolivian women.  

Website: https://amor-vincit.com/

Instagram: @amorrvincit

Instagram: @harethandrade

“My name is Hareth Andrade Ayala. 

I was born in La Paz, Bolivia and my parents are from Uyuni, Potosi. 

Growing up in Bolivia I learned Spanish and English at the American Institute. A lot of my influence growing up was from American culture due to school, and my heritage is an involved Bolivian family and traditions. Growing up I enjoyed Bolivian food and touring el Salar De Uyuni which was close to my grandparents home. My grandmother was a teacher and an organizer. 

She organized pasanako with the women vendors from the street market and helped many families secure an income through that with the concept - everyone contributes. 

So I believe in thinking of the whole as opposed to the individual as a part of my heritage. My grandfather was a retired political person and a church man so I would go to church and meet community members from mixed Bolivian backgrounds and

 I remember the traditional values of honoring the earth and taking good care of your spirit as center of gatherings, so that is a part of my heritage as well.

 I am a first generation immigrant and also the eldest daughter of three. It is very nice to be able to share this bit about myself and the collective space with other Bolivian women.” 

- Hareth  

All images and copyright are reserved for Hareth Andrade Ayala  Ⓒ

#beauty brand lipsalve #americanboliviancollective

[americanbolivian]

photo: Paolambertin

Maque Pereyra is a multidisciplinary artist based in Berlin. She mostly works on body-based performance and also writes and produces her own music. She is also the inventor of “Yoggaton”

Find more:  https://linktr.ee/maquepereyra

Follow: https://www.instagram.com/maquepereyra/

Photo: Autotimer

Maque Pereyra is a multidisciplinary artist based in Berlin who primarily works in body-based performance and music production. She has worked as a dancer for various choreographers and companies, and later began producing solo work. In 2018, she completed the MA SoDA program at UdK-HZT. Her work has received international recognition and has been presented at various events at HKW, Tanzquartier Wien, Humboldt Forum, among others.

Photo: Gerhard F Ludwig

MAQUE Created : “Yoggaton” 

Visit: https://yoggaton.com/ 

Follow: @yoggaton

In the past years, Pereyra has focused on the healing aspects of dance and movement, and has created Yoggaton, a movement practice that combines Yoga and Reggaeton. Yoggaton encompasses many of the themes that Pereyra's work addresses, including healing, empowerment through pleasure and spiritual activism, decolonial practices, and knowledge production/reflection using the body. In addition to her work as an artist, Pereyra is also a certified yoga teacher and psychologist.

Watch her new Music Video “C4R4C4L” 

Still from Music Video “C4R4C4L”

Photos: Autotimer

All images and copyright are reserved for Maque Pereyra Ⓒ

#maquepereyra #american bolivian collective

[americanbolivian]

Vanesa Moreno is a writer, director, and cinematographer born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and raised in Northern Virginia.

https://morenovanesa.com/

https://vimeo.com/vanmoreno

https://instagram.com/v__nesa

“My name’s Vanesa Moreno Herrera (my mom’s last name). 

I was born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and raised in Northern Virginia.

 I identify as Boliviana, bisexual and immigrant. I moved to the U.S when i was 5 years old. I grew up here and have dealt with generational gaps and cultural differences with my own parents and by living here in America. I’ve been pretty lucky to have grown up in such a diverse area, the NOVA area is full of Bolivians so it honestly didn’t make me feel too isolated compared to if I had lived in a whiter state. I grew up with a lot of people of color and low-income families so the struggle was always there. 

My dad is from a small town called Santiago de Chiquitos.

 Santiago de Chiquitos is a small town in Roboré Municipality in Chiquitos Province, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia. 

The town of Santiago de Chiquitos is one of the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, it was predominantly with Jesuit people from what my dad had told me. 

His roots include Chiquitano natives and my mom’s side is more from just the city of Santa Cruz.

 My mom’s side has always fascinated me cause it’s always been something we don’t talk about, so when we do I made sure I listened. My grandma was raised in Samaipata, which is the southwest of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in the foothills of the Andes on the way to Sucre. I found that town super cute when I visited. 

It’s really up until high school where I got to really research and learn about my cultures and it caused an existential crisis for sure. It led to me creating my first short film “La Identidad” which has some views on vimeo.

 I got to connect with some female filmmakers from twitter because of it. I recently went to a film festival for the first time and it really led me to want to create and direct again. Working in film is the ultimate goal and working on feature films is what I see in my future. Film has pretty much saved my life and I’m thankful for having a creative side to me. My art feels so personal and I really enjoy that about being an artist.”

-Vanesa Moreno

Vanesa’s  music video that premiered at NFFTY 2023 April 28: 

“Let’s Make Jam” - Written and Directed by Vanesa Moreno: 

https://vimeo.com/vanmoreno     “ La Identidad” : 

Bolivia on Film - Series: 

Donate to Vanesa’s Venmo - $vanesa429

All images and copyright are reserved for Vanesa Moreno Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #vanesa moreno director cinematographer writer

[americanbolivian]

Fabiana Mendoza was born and raised in Cochabamba, currently residing in DC. She is a certified makeup artist whose work has been published in New York, Brazil, and Mexico. 

She recently won “Best Makeup Artist” from Best of D.C. readers Choice

Website : https://fabianamendoza.com/

Instagram: @fabiiianamua

Facebook: @fabiiianaMUA

“ My name is Fabiana Mendoza, 

I was proudly born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

 My mom and I went through a series of adventurous events throughout the years; as a single mother she did anything and everything to give me a better future, and she never backed down. To be able to recognize and see her efforts is my greatest encouragement. As a DACA recipient I had a couple speed bumps along the way, thankfully, none were ever big enough to stop my career growth from blooming. Although I've been in the US for many years, the culture plays a huge part in who I am.

As most fellow Bolivians may know, our culture is rooted in all of us, so deeply that any folkloric music or dance will get us on our feet to partake. 

We just can't help ourselves, it brings us unexplainable joy that makes us feel at home.

 Being in the US has made me appreciate our food, music, dances and culture on a deeper level. 

In 2015 I had the pleasure of being Señorita Comite Pro Bolivia

 where I was able to learn about many different dances and how big our community is here in the DMV. 

I never realized how much I really missed home, and how amazing it feels to be a part of something greater- La Pachamama.

This love and passion I have for our culture has changed how I work, and enjoy my day to day life. Everything I love to do, I do with the same joy I cannot put into words.” 

-Fabiana Mendoza 

All images and copyright are reserved for Fabiana Mendoza Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #fabiana mendoza #makeup artist

[americanbolivian]

Victoria Cheyenne is an indigenous Bolivian-American documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. She is from the Northern Cheyenne and Aymara tribes and is fascinated by stories of identity, family dynamics, and cultural heritage. She prioritize telling sovereign stories of personal experience driven by strong female voices in her latest short documentary film “Learning I'm Home” 

Her latest film “Learning I’m Home” : @learningimhomefilm

Website : https://www.victoriacheyenne.com/

Instagram: @filmbyvictoria

TikTok: @filmbyvictoria

“My name is Victoria Cheyenne and I'm the daughter of Lilian Agar Ramos and granddaughter of Maria Ramos. I’m an indigenous Bolivian-American documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. I also, work in editing and producing at Comedy Central. 

My mother was orphaned at a young age while growing up in El Alto.

 A nun volunteering in the region took care of her until she was adopted by a family in the United States.

 Our heritage comes from the Aymara nation in Bolivia and Northern Cheyenne tribe in North America.

 We've recently begun the journey of reconnecting with our family in Bolivia and seek to travel to visit them soon. “ - Victoria Cheyenne

“I prioritize telling sovereign stories of personal experience driven by strong female voices. My latest short documentary film "Learning I'm Home" tackles generational educational trauma through the eyes of student leaders at Montana State University's newly constructed American Indian Hall. 

It is a necessary and powerful story about the resilience of cultural strength but also the pain of generational trauma.

 Following student leader Maleeya Knowshisgun who holds the title of Miss Indian MSU (Montana State University), Learning I’m Home examines the beauty of creating community. You can follow @learningimhomefilm on Instagram to stay updated.” 

All images, video and copyright are reserved for Victoria Cheyenne Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #victoria cheyenne

[americanbolivian]

Isabelle Boni is the winner of the American Bolivian Scholarship in memory of Janett Adams 

Isabelle is a Bolivian-American PhD student at Berkeley who specializes in cross-cultural cognitive science. 

She’s specifically working with the Tsimané in the Amazon of Beni, Bolivia. 

Excerpt from her winning essay: 

.........

"Most research in Psychology is centered around what are known as WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) populations, largely recruiting US university undergraduates as participants. It is impossible to get a clear picture of the diversity of human experience from just these groups. This is why it is important to study populations like the Tsimane’. "

.......

“ Aside from collaborating with the Tsimane’, there is much room to nurture Bolivians in research. I would like to involve more local students in research that is occurring in their own country.”......

- Isabelle Boni Excerpts

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35913931/

RESEARCH ARTICLE                       

Verbal Counting and the Timing of Number Acquisition in an Indigenous Amazonian Group

Isabelle Boni, Julian Jara-Ettinger, Sophie Sackstein, Steven T. Piantadosi

1 Department of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America, 2 Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America, 3 Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36427312/

COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE    

Different reference frames on different axes:

Space and language in indigenous Amazonians

Benjamin Pitt, Alexandra Carstensen, Isabelle Boni,Steven T. Piantadosi & Edward Gibson

1Department of Psychology, UC Berkeley, 2Department of Psychology, UC San Diego,3Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT

All images and copyright are reserved for Isabelle Boni Ⓒ 

#american bolivian collective #isabelle boni #scholarship

[americanbolivian]

Carla Sanchez is an entrepreneur. As one of the first Latina Bloggers on the web with a successful lifestyle blog out of DC, she created her own social media agency (SCDC Agency). Her most recent endeavor is “Casa Kantuta” originally a Bolivian “pop-up” cocktail bar in the DMV will now be opening permanently as the first Bolivian cocktail bar in the nation this winter!!

Casa Kantuta : https://www.casakantuta.com/

Casa Kantuta’s grand opening/ New Year’s party celebration 12/31! Follow their IG for more updates @casakantuta

Social media Agency Website: https://www.scdctheagency.com

 Instagram: @spicycandydc​

“My name is Carla Sanchez. I was born and raised in La Paz, Bolivia. I immigrated to VA in the 90’s with my mom and younger brother at the age of 9.

 I have the most amazing memories of my childhood in La Paz! 

Truly happy I was able to celebrate 9 birthdays with all my family members and childhood friends. 

Life as an immigrant child wasn’t easy. I missed home for a very long time. My parents actually discussed the possibility of taking me back because of how depressed I got living in a new country. After a year, I started to get used to my new surroundings and lifestyle but part of me always felt like I was stripped away from the joy of growing up with my grandma, nana, aunts and cousins. Birthdays, Christmas and New Year celebrations never felt the same without them but I’m grateful that my parents really tried hard to include our family traditions in every life celebration we had.

 I’ve been in this country for now 30+ years and consider Washington DC my second  home.

 I got to know the city very well by starting a lifestyle blog (@spicycandydc) 14 years ago. I was prob one of the few Latinas who had a successful blog at that time.

 That blog opened so many doors for me and thought me so much of what I know now. I founded my own social media agency 4 years ago (SCDC The Agency) and have been my own boss ever since.

 During the early stages of the pandemic an idea crossed my mind that would not let me sleep at night, it was like a whispering voice that kept telling me, “this is what you need do, this is your path” and this is how “Casa Kantuta” was born. Casa Kantuta started as a pop-up cocktail bar with the purpose to introduce/showcase Bolivian culture to the DMV area but with bigger dreams ahead. 

After two successful pop-ups, Casa Kantuta is opening the first Bolivian cocktail bar in the nation this winter. 

My brother, Juan Sanchez (co-founder) and I can’t wait to invite you to our home, your home a place we hope every Bolivian in the nation will be proud to walk into and if you are not Bolivian, I hope you leave Casa Kantuta inspired by our culture and family’s legacy. About Casa Kantuta: 

“Casa Kantuka is a pop-up bar experience inspired by Bolivian culture! It is the brainchild of two hermanos who immigrated from Bolivia to the DC area in the ‘90s and want to share their rich culture and ancestral traditions with the DC scene. 

Their vision is to create an environment that will transport people to another place as they sip on beautiful Bolivian-inspired craft cocktails, snack on authentic Bolivian street food, and listen to great music with a modern speakeasy vibe”

- Carla Sanchez 

All images, video and copyright are reserved for Carla Sanchez  Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective #carla sanchez #casa kantuta

[americanbolivian]

Evelyn Vidaurre is the owner of “XTRA & CO.” and founder of  “Chicas In Business”,  a network community page where she organizes local market events to help promote local businesses. She is also working towards starting a podcast within this community to connect with other business owners and share their business journey to keep inspiring other entrepreneurs to continue working on their business goals. 

https://xtraandco.com/

Instagram: @xtraandco

@chicasinbusiness

Follow her: @evelynvidaurre 

“My name is Evelyn Vidaurre and I am the owner of XTRA & CO. I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Coming to the United States made me realize that I am more connected to my Bolivian roots than I realized.  This is all thanks to the upbringings from my lovely grandparents. 

My grandparents wanted their first born to be from their hometown in Vichacla Potosi Bolivia. 

And therefore my mom was born in Potosi but was raised in Argentina. My Dad was born in La Paz but because of the struggles of life he lived the majority of his childhood in Cochabamba. At the age of 17 he took a leap of faith and migrated to Argentina from Bolivia for a better future. 

Being born in Buenos Aires I only knew the Argentinian way of life. Little did I know that I would see little glimpses of my Bolivian roots through my grandparents. Every Sunday morning I would wake up to the sounds of my grandpa whistling Bolivian tunes. My grandma would decorate her living room with these beautiful Aguayo blankets that added color and made her home very vibrant. My grandma also had a lot of Bolivian home healing remedies that she would use on us. This reminds me of a day when I got sick and my grandma came to me with a “healing potion” called Mentisan which magically cured me the next day.

 Along the walls of my grandparents home I also remember the very first time I heard my grandparents speaking Quechua.

 My reaction was “wow! They are speaking in code.” I was probably five, but I learned that was actually their native tongue. One thing I realize now is that my grandparents had to sacrifice a lot of their heritage and culture in order to fit in with their new society. Perhaps this is the reason why my mom and uncles didn’t grow up knowing the different Bolivian traditions and why they weren’t passed down to us.  Despite all of this my grandparents never forgot where they came from. They still to this day go back to Vichacla for every Carnaval season. Where they take clothes, school supplies, and food to their hometown.

 One of the best things that my grandparents did for us was to be the first ones to take us to Bolivia and introduce us to Bolivian food, culture and music.

  I was five years old but this trip was more than a family vacation. It was truly an educational experience about my heritage. Fast Forward to 1999, when I was just a few months away from turning nine years old, I was packing my bags to take a different type of family trip that became a total life changer. Without going into too much detail, I thought I was coming back in a few weeks from this trip. If I knew then what I know now I would have put more effort into my hugs and goodbyes. I didn't  get to see my grandparents for 15 long years.

 It took me a long time to feel at home in the U.S. I struggled like most immigrant kids, learning a new language, adapting to a new life and finding a place in society.

 Coming to this country I felt so far away from home but when I found out about the Bolivian community it was like having a small piece of my grandparents. For this reason I became more open and closer to learning more about my Bolivian heritage and felt more in love with its rich culture.

 In 2007 when I learned that Tinkus came from Potosi, where my grandparents are from, I became a folkloric dancer and have not stopped dancing since then.

 I have so much admiration for both my parents and grandparents and I look up to them. I know I am the way I am because of them. My parents, like my grandparents, are both business owners and growing up I watched them work towards their goals while having little to nothing to start with is really inspiring. I don’t know how they did it but it gives me so much hope and strength to know that they believe in me and push me to keep making my small business dreams come true. 

Their mindset, confidence and strength are the best qualities I inherited from them and for that I am very thankful.”

-Evelyn Vidaurre   

All images and copyright are reserved for Evelyn Vidaurre  Ⓒ

#american bolivian collective

[americanbolivian]

Natalia Barrientos is a visual artist and adjunct professor at a University in Tarija (Universidad Católica Boliviana UCB). She is currently studying for a master's degree in Photography and design, from Elisava school of design, Barcelona, Spain.

https://www.nataliabarrientos.com/

 Instagram: @Natalia.brr

“I'm from the south of Bolivia, from Tarija. I migrated to the U.S at the end of 2012, after living for a few years in Argentina. My mom and my stepfather wanted to start a new life there and my aim was to finish my studies. I started studying Filmmaking, but photography was so intriguing to me that I changed it to my new major. After several years living abroad, I really understood the role I had in the U.S, of being an immigrant and not belonging at all. As much as Houston had given me the opportunity to grow and develop as an artist, being away from my father, and my brother, and seeing how sick my mom got being in the U.S, it's hard for me to not have mixed feelings about the time I lived there. Much of my work is presented as ways to channel these traumatic experiences, moments of agony, and loss. I currently reside in Tarija, Bolivia, although I am always visiting relatives who still live in Texas.” 

-Natalia Barrientos

All images, art, and copyright are reserved for Natalia Barrientos  Ⓒ 

#natalia barrientos #american bolivian collective #photography

[americanbolivian]

Ana Catalina Rojas de Merkel is a Bolivian American architect, artist and designer who founded “Ponchos Rojas”, a fashion brand dedicated to the preservation of weaving traditions in the high Andes and “Los Designers” which specializes in interiors & architecture. 

  www.acatrojas.com

Instagram:  @Ponchos Rojas 

Website: https://www.ponchosrojas.com/

Instagram: @Los Designers

Website: https://www.losdesigners.com/

“I was born and raised in La Paz,  Bolivia, and moved to the US for grad school after living  and working in Italy for some years. 

I have been  living in New York for 17 years now, but all my family is still living in Bolivia, between La Paz & Santa Cruz.

 I am lucky that I can travel back and forth not only to visit them, but also for work.

 I am an architect, artist and designer and have started my own design companies: Ponchos Rojas & Los Designers.” 

-Ana Catalina Rojas de Merkel 

Ponchos Rojas is a design and fashion brand dedicated to the preservation of weaving traditions in the high Andes. The textiles of the Bolivian Andes have an unbroken chain of handcraft that has been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years, and it is now in danger of being lost forever with the push for modernization. By upcycling vintage pieces and working with Bolivian communities to create new works, founders Ana Catalina Rojas de Merkel and Greg Merkel hope to create a broad market appeal worldwide and drive a new economy for Bolivian textiles.

Ponchos Rojas has also created a non-profit company, Ponchos Libres, where proceeds from their sales will go back directly to the local Bolivian communities and further help protect the treasure that is the art of Bolivian Textiles. Through programs that focus on preserving weaving traditions and teaching new generations, they aim to get the younger generations interested and involved and keep this artform alive.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PonchosRojas/

https://youtu.be/OxYv6hiVwYk

Instagram:  @Ponchos Rojas

Website: https://www.ponchosrojas.com/

Instagram: @Los Designers

Website: https://www.losdesigners.com/

#ponchos rojas #ana c rojas de merkel #los designers #american bolivian collective