ABSTRACT
This survey traces the general contours of what “indigenous” means in the contemporary Andes. The revival of indigenous identities holds an important place in the politics of all Andean nations. However, it manifests itself differently in each country. We offer a few examples of national variants of this definition in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Finally, we outline some recent neo-Indian inventions that may shape future configurations of Andean cultures. Although the sociological indio is denigrated in Peru, the historical identity of the Incas has, conversely, become the object of an identitarian reimagination, with a national and even worldwide value, springing from roots in traditional Andean messianism and rituals. We analyze the origin and the impact of this neo-Inca movement from which emerges a distinctly specific Andean New Age.
