The Andean Exploration Workshop began with a presentation titled “The Vibrant Andean Culture and History” offered by three professors from Ohio State. As Dr. Kenneth Andrien, professor of Latin American history, explained, “The Quechua language is associated with diversity, because it is a family language. Even though it was spoken during the Inca Empire, the Incas did not develop a Quechua alphabet. They used other means, like a system of knotted cords called Quipu.”
If the Incas did not write in Quechua, why do scholars think we should learn this language? It offers tremendous advantages for historians of next generations. According to Andrien, when the Spanish conquerors arrived at the Andean region, there were a lot of difficulties to make translations from Castilian to Quechua, as there were many difficulties in conveying Occidental concepts to the Andean Culture.
The importance of learning Quechua goes beyond history because even a basic knowledge of this native tongue opens doors to new options of music and art to be enjoyed. According to Dr. Ulises Juan Zevallos-Aguilar, professor of Latin American Literatures and Cultures, there is a contemporary Quechua renaissance. Music, literature and dance are manifestations of this contemporary culture: for example music groups singing in Quechua, like rock-influenced, Uchpa and new age Alborada Peru. You can find videos of these groups on YouTube.
Learning Quechua and interacting with the Andean culture goes beyond the classroom. Dr. Maureen Ahern, professor of Latin American Literatures and Cultures, shared her experience as an academic scholar going to Peru. She not only attained her Ph.D. at the Univesidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, but stayed in Peru for 12 years. Ahern explained that there are many programs to help students study there, such as fellowships, grants and funding for students and researchers, as well as NGO, volunteer, in-service, faith-based and other programs. |
