Kallawayas

Kallawaya people are an itinerant group of healers living in the Andes of Bolivia. They live in the Bautista Saavedra region, a mountainous area north of La Paz.

They are members of the Mollo culture and are direct descendants of Tiwanaku culture.

Kallawaya People

Kallawaya doctors ("médicos Kallawaya"), are known as the naturopathic healers of Inca kings, and as keepers of science knowledge, principally the pharmaceutical properties of vegetables, animals and minerals.

Healers

Most Kallawaya healers understand how to use 300 herbs, while specialists are familiar with 600 herbs.

They traveled through northwestern Bolivia and parts of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru. Often they are on foot, walking ancient Inca trails, through the tropics, mountain valleys and highland plateaus, while looking for traditional herbs.

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Prior to leaving their homes to heal the sick, the Kallawayas perform a ceremonial dance.

The dance is expressed as the "yatiri", or healer. The choreography is noted for the "llantucha" of "suri", clothing made of ostrich feathers and used as protection against the elements while they travel to their patients, carrying "khapchos" or "male" bags that contain herbs, mixes, and talismans.

Groups of musicians, "kantus" play drums and pan flutes during the ritual ceremonies to establish contact with the spirit world before the healer visits patients.

Kallawaya Dance