Amantani
| Amantani | ||
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| Waters | Lake Titicaca | |
| Geographical location | 15 ° 39 ′ 51 ″ S , 69 ° 42 ′ 36 ″ W | |
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| surface | 15 km² | |
| Residents | 3663 (1988) 244 inhabitants / km² |
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Amantaní is an island in the Peruvian part of Lake Titicaca . The island is approximately round and has an area of about 15 square kilometers.
On its two peaks, Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth), there are buildings from the time of the Inca and the Tiwanaku culture. Pachamama (4130 m) and the Pachatata, which is also over four thousand meters high, have the appearance of oversized hills.
Demographics
According to a census in 1988, the island had 3,663 inhabitants, Quechua , who live in eight villages. The Quechua (variant Cusco-Collao Quechua ) is actively spoken by all ages. Especially among the younger ones, many also speak Spanish .
topology
The slopes of the island are provided with stone terraces , on which wheat , quinoa and potatoes , among other things , are grown by hand. Alpacas in particular graze on the slopes as cattle . Due to the favorable climatic conditions and the nature of the soil, the islanders are able to farm up to an altitude of over four thousand meters. The summit regions of Pachatata and Pachamama are also used for agriculture.
Further information
The temple ruins on the peaks are used every year on January 20th for the island festival. There is a competition on this day. Half of the island's population is at one of the two temples, and one runner runs to a point between the two buildings. According to tradition, a victory for Pachamama (for which one of the two peaks stands) should bring a good harvest next year.
Amantaní is also known for its textile craft .
There is a small infirmary and school on the island.
Similar to Taquile , Amantaní is organized as a cooperative and a joint council is elected every year. The municipality does not raise taxes, rather municipal tasks (in the old Andean tradition) are done in community work. There is no hotel; Tourists are placed in private quarters.
The island is car-free.
Amantaní is also called the "island of the Kantuta " because this plant grows abundantly on the island.
The German director Ute Wagner-Oswald made a film about Amantaní : Amantani - Insel der Sterne (1997, 30 min).
