Los mallkus de uraqita: La obligación que legitima la posesión de la tierra Las autoridades comunales en las comunidades aymaras del altiplano boliviano
Abstract
El presente artículo revela que el cumplimiento de los puestos de autoridades aymaras -mallkus-, es una obligación para los que poseen tierras, y al mismo tiempo legitima su derecho de uso y posesión de las mismas, basándose en los datos etnográficos obtenidos a partir de nuestras investigaciones de campo en el altiplano boliviano. De este modo se dilucida que para los comuneros, el motivo primordial del ejercicio de los puestos de mallkus es legitimar su derecho de uso y posesión de la tierra. Asimismo, se analiza el significado del cumplimiento de su responsabilidad. En consecuencia, se comprende que el sistema de autoridades aymaras constituye un régimen consuetudinario de la tierra, formando una estructura dual con el reglamento estatal. Se esclarece también que este sistema se basa en el ritual y su carga moral, destacándose la idea de que «los mallkus cuidan la tierra», la cual supone impulsar y legitimar el sistema, e implica la responsabilidad moral, sustancial, ritual y ecológicamente, para la comunidad y sus componentes, siendo compartida equitativamente por todos los comuneros que poseen terrenos.
This article reveals that the completion of the positions of mallkus -Aymara's authorities- is an obligation for those who own land, and also legitimates their rights to own and use the land, based on ethnographic data obtained through field research in the Bolivian highland. Thus this paper elucidates that the primary reason for community members to practice mallku positions is to legitimate their right to own and use the land. This study also analyses the meanings of discharge of this responsibility. Consequently, it is understood that the Aymara's authority system constitutes a customary land regime, which forms a dual structure with a state regulations. Furthermore, it elucidates that this system is based on ritual and moral concept, emphasizing the idea that «the mallkus care for the land», which is supposed to promote and legitimate the system. This idea implies morally, ritually and ecologically substantial responsibility for the community and its components, which is shared by all community members who own land.
This article reveals that the completion of the positions of mallkus -Aymara's authorities- is an obligation for those who own land, and also legitimates their rights to own and use the land, based on ethnographic data obtained through field research in the Bolivian highland. Thus this paper elucidates that the primary reason for community members to practice mallku positions is to legitimate their right to own and use the land. This study also analyses the meanings of discharge of this responsibility. Consequently, it is understood that the Aymara's authority system constitutes a customary land regime, which forms a dual structure with a state regulations. Furthermore, it elucidates that this system is based on ritual and moral concept, emphasizing the idea that «the mallkus care for the land», which is supposed to promote and legitimate the system. This idea implies morally, ritually and ecologically substantial responsibility for the community and its components, which is shared by all community members who own land.
Description
Vol. 8, No. 1