Mining Our Past
A Comparison of Peruvian Silver Refineries with West Virginia Coal Mines
Practices and Beliefs in Peru
Many strong rituals and beliefs still surround mining practices today in Peru. For example, it is now thought of as bad luck for women to enter the mines. This is much different than the past that had equal numbers of female and male miners and refiners.
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El TÃo (The Uncle), is a spirit that is believed to guard the mine of Cerro Rico in PotosÃ, Bolivia. Viewed as the lord of the mines and the underworld, miners often give offerings to El TÃo when entering the mine. Offerings include cigarettes, coca leaves, and alcohol and are used to gain safe passage in and out of the mines.
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Left: The figure of El TÃo in Potosi, Bolivia in 1993. Photograph by SHIBUYA K. WikiCommons.
Traditional Peruvian Dances
Folklore and Mining
Traditional dance has been a way for Peruvians to commemorate their deep mining history. Dance figures symbolize mining overseers and laborers. Overseers dance with whips, while miners dance with bells on their shoes, to symbolize the sound of chains.
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Left: A photograph of a dancer taking part in the Morenada dance. Oruro, Peru. 2012. Photograph by Alfredobi. WikiCommons.