GLOSARIO

karakunka = Kara=nude, naked, hairless; kunka=neck. (Aymara native language words used to call certain type of roosters found in Bolivia characterized by having natural featherless naked necks. The term is sometimes also jokingly used to call red-neck lanky gringos with long necks and prominent Adam’s apples
pigmo = birds look somewhat like magpies or crows. These birds are considered by the native people to be bad omens; signs of bad presages and events
cachi = Cachi=regional word used to call a special tiled yard. Mountain river rocks having the appearance of flagstones are used in making these patios. These are used to dry coca leaves, coffee beans and to dehydrate other staples such as bananas and corn
charangos = Charango=Musical instrument similar to a little guitar but with a sound similar to a mandolin but with an unusual body: the shell of an armadillo is used as its sound box
bandoneón = a large accordion
Golpepecho = literally means "hitting her chest"; term used sarcastically because aunt Francisca Eulalia was one of the town women named "beatas", excessively devout and pious females but who sometimes appeared hypocritical and insincere
walusas = type of tuber looks like an Idaho potato but has a different taste similar to a mixture of yucca and potato. This plant is native to the Andes as the plain potato (Solanum tuberosum) also is
racachas = Racacha=another type of edible bulbous tuber; somewhat similar to the yucca but of different texture, color and flavor
kaja = Arroz kaja=is a type of cooked rice prepared in an earthen pot. It has a special flavor and is spongy and very tasty
palto = avocado; palto is the name for the avocado in Bolivia. In Mexico it is known as aguacate
jalpahuayquita = type of exquisite picante sauce used in Bolivia. Somewhat similar to the Mexican picante sauce that is becoming more and more popular in the US. The Bolivian version usually has as an additional ingredient, leaves of "quirquiña", an herb similar to a mixture of parsley and coriander
locotitos = Locotito=little "locoto", a type of chile pepper similar to the Mexican serrano pepper. This type of hot pepper is widely used in the Bolivian cuisine
quirquiña = a type of herb similar to the cilantro. Its distinctive flavor enhances the taste of the savory Bolivian food. This herb has a flavor that resembles a mixture of cilantro (coriander) and parsley together
mora = tropical plant used to marinade meats. The plant also has small edible black-red berries.
papaya = tropical plant well known for its fruit. The leaves and the fruit itself contain papain a powerful enzyme that explains the virtues of the product when used to marinate and tenderize meats
achiote = a shrub with a red-yellow seed used as food coloring
yungueño = from Los Yungas, the Bolivian upper rain-forest region where most of our stories are set
sajta = traditional Bolivian dish made with chicken, potatoes, peas, onions and tomatoes
lojro yungueño = Lojro=locro a type of stew made with lean dry ovine meat, vegetables, onions, spices, a type of banana called "guineo" and ground toasted peanuts
chalona = dried lean salted mutton; sheep meat
mankagastos = regional term used to call certain individuals who crash parties without an invitation
Chulumani, Coroico, Tajma, Irupana = Chulumani and other towns are real places in Bolivia. Churuhuasca (literally translated from the Aymara language as Refuge of the Snail) is the mythical, imaginary site where most of our stories develop
tata = Papa, dad, elder in the Aymara dialect
taquiraris = a Bolivian dance, lively and fast and specially popular in Bolivia’s eastern regions
huayñitos = Huayño, huayñito is another type of Bolivian dance specially popular in Bolivia’s western regions
bailecitos = Bailecito is another popular Bolivian dance
cuequita = Cueca is apopular Andean dance. Handkerchiefs are used in its choreography
chijipampa = Chiji=pasto en el dialecto Aymara; pampa=campo, meseta en el leguaje Aymara. Chijipampa literalmente significa campo de pasto o grama
blondies = "Blondies who don’t cheat" refers to golden, light colored beer, Pilsener type. Bolivian beer is of excellent quality and renowned taste probably due to the quality of water and ingredients used
taba = literally means the anklebone. In Southern South America taba is the name of a game similar to "knucklebone or jackstones. The bone is thrown and bets are made on the way it would fall
sapo = literally means "frog". In Bolivia "sapo" is the name of a game men play where a coin-like piece of copper or other metal is thrown from a distance into a box that contains a metal frog with the mouth open. It is like throwing horseshoes. Placing a coin in the frog’s mouth is the highest score possible
gallo = cock, rooster
Naranjitay = "Naranjitay" is the most popular and better known of the songs originated in this part of the world famous for its citric production. The lyrics literally translated are: "Dear little orange, colorful little fruit, I will snatch you away from your orchard. If it is not tonight, I will do it early at dawn tomorrow. Dear little orange, from a distance I can see the tip of your slip; my mouth becomes watery and my heart beats much faster…" You may listen a version of the real song by pressing Music in the options offered on our home-page. Thank you