South America Today

Indigenous Cultures European Contact: Spanish, Portuguese and other Europeans changed culture and lives of native people Introduced a new population group; the Mestizos( a mix of Native American or African and European ancestry)

Maintaining Traditions 3 largest groups of indigenous people are the Aymara, Quechua and Guarani Aymara Live in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia Speak native language Herd llamas and alpacas Grow potatoes and quinoa

Maintaining Traditions Quechua Live in the Andes of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia Religion is a blend of native beliefs and Catholicism Speak native language Practice native tradtions , like weaving

Maintaining traditions Guarani Live in Paraguay Speak native language Art keeps native influence Mundurku Live in Brazil Farm, hunt, and fish in the rainforest Sell latex from rubber trees

1.2 Language diversity 50 language families Spanish and Portuguese are main languages, but also French and Italian Creole –developed by combining two languages Plantation workers did this so they could communicate

Language Indigenous languages continue to thrive, over 500 different languages spoken Reasons: Large number of indigenous groups Topography - rainforest isolate groups - Andes and highlands also kept European languages from being adopted

Government Recognition Many countries have decided to give native languages official status. Peru- Spanish and Quechua official languages Paraguay- Guarani and Spanish Government also have allowed outside groups to record and document native languages( National Geographic Enduring Voices)

1.3 Daily Life Religion Religion guides everything : traditions, festivals, and holidays Roman Catholicism is main religion ( conversion during the colonial period) Protestants – small groups Chile, Brazil, Guianas, Bolivia and Ecuador. Other religions are mixes of native, African and Catholic ways

School Public education for all people Some struggle to receive an education because: Few rural schools Shortage of teachers Children leave school to to help earn money for their families

Sports All over South America people play soccer or Futbol Brazil has many leagues and tries to develop players to win the World Cup

Food Depending on where you are in South America will influence what is being served Chile – seafood Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina- beef Peru- llamas and alpacas Stews, black beans, rice, and vegetables are common Most foods are a blend of native, African and European cuisines