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On Drinking Cups and Constellations: Some Relations Between Aymara Astronomical and Textual Practices in Qaqachaka ayllu (Bolivia)

This paper concerns astronomical practices in the Aymara-speaking ayllu of Qaqachaka (prov. Abaroa, Dept. Oruro, Bolivia), where I have done most fieldwork – together with the Aymara linguist, Juan de Dios Yapita – and where Elvira Espejo, my co-author, was born. The essay is based on our previous knowledge and experience concerning these practices, and on a recent conversation between us. The paper explores in particular the relation between the ayllu women’s astronomical and textual practices, above all that of weaving, which in turn structures other everyday activities in the ayllu (herding, dance, rituals, counting, colour aesthetics) according to a series of homologies (see Arnold, 1997b; Arnold and Yapita, 2006). As we shall see, many of these homologies are centred on the cultural meanings of the Black Llama, whose outline can be seen as immense black lakes of interstellar dust seen against the brilliant stars of the Milky Way, and of certain stars observed in this part of the night sky (see figure 1). We intend the paper to complement Gordon Brotherston’s work on astronomical practices and their expression in the various textual practices of Mesoamerica.