Chapare
I was traveling through South America during the summer of 2005, experiencing the diverse cultures and studying themes that seemed important. The political struggles and indigenous issues were of particular note. The adage about Bolivia and revolution being more frequent than those of a record player occupied my thoughts as I rode the bus into the Chapare region near Cochabamba. I found a tight-knit community of coca farmers fighting for their rights. A few weeks later I was through my round of antibiotics and was duly impressed by the fortitude of the community and value-systems amongst the coca growers deep in the jungle.
Evo Morales campaigns for president on August 4, 2005 in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Amadeo Velazco (R), 50, a coca grower living in the Chapare region of Bolivia, travels by taxi in 2005.
Amadeo Velazco, 50, is a coca grower living in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia. His crop was eradicated and he now lives alone on an island two hours from the nearest city by canoe and bicycle.
Amadeo Velazco, 50, is a coca grower living in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia.
The Bolivian Army parades on the national independence day in 2005 in the Chapare region.
Women bag coca leaves for chewing at the Federation in Chimore in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
A traditional indigenous celebration of Bolivian Independence Day in Entre Rios in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Bolivan army troops eradicate coca in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia in 2005. Each farmer can legally produce a small field of coca and any additional plants are eradicated.
A cocalero (coca farmer in spanish) passes a coca eradication crew in the Chapare region of Bolivia.
Residents of Santa Rosa in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia wait outside a rustic dwelling with one of their few coca plants. It is legal to grow a limited amount of coca in Bolivia for the purpose of chewing.
The multi-color indigenous flag is covered by coca leaves at a meeting of coca growers in the Chapare region of Cochabamba, Bolivia.