BOLIVIA: Traditionally-made boat sets sail across Lake Titicaca to educate its resident communities about preserving the environment.

A twelve-metre long, six-tonne raft made of bulrushes is sailing Lake Titicaca, visiting local communities to educate them on the importance of preserving this stunning natural environment. The Winay Marka set sail on Saturday (September 2), its purpose to visit eight communities living on the highest navigable lake in the world which lies on the border of Bolivia and Peru, and teach them about the importance of environmental conservation. The raft was made by the Arratia family, in the town of Suriqui. For Juan Hector Arratia, who was behind its construction, the project bears a strong cultural and historic stamp. "It's a project with a historic trajectory. There is a cultural trajectory, with a native origin, which are the Aymaras, the sailors of Zurica island," he said. The remarkable vessel is being captained by Celso Arratia, who guides it along the blue waters with the skill inherited from generations of sailors. For Juan Hector, the idea behind the Winay Marka raft is to showcase the culture which has grown up over generations living on this stunning lake, while also educating people about the levels of pollution that threaten it. "This raft is for a cultural construction, to show what culture is. And also the environment in which we live, also to show the pollution that exists in Lake Titicaca," he said. Before setting sale, the enormous raft was transported to the landlocked streets of La Paz where it was left on display so that city citizens could learn a little about these lake communities. According to Alberto Swasberg, who co-ordinated the raft's trip on behalf of the Bolivian government, the vessel in itself is a remarkable testimony to the culture that produced it. "This raft was constructed by Juan Carlos Arratia, the third generation of a family who make rafts from rushes which have been able to sail across oceans," he said. An example of the kind of vessels many local communities use in the area to navigate the lake, the Winay Marka is a cut above the rest in terms of its sheer size and weight. "The raft was made in approximately six months, and is 12 metres long and three metres wide. Its weight is around six tones," explained Swasberg. Those who got to witness it first hand in La Paz were also treated to explanations about its previous voyages, and the kind of voyages normally undertaken in similar vessels. After its stint on the urban streets, the raft was transported back to the town of Puerto Perez for its all-important voyage. Over eight days, the Winay Marka will visit eight different settlements in the area, which borders with Peru. At each stop, there will be cultural and environmental seminars provided for locals. The government-sponsored initiative is intended to reinforce the value inherent in the cultural heritage of the local communities that live on the lake. As the raft set sail, Captain Celso Arratia was upbeat about the project, although he recognized that nature would have a part to play in determining its success. "I hope that we can do good things. It depends on the weather - we can't work against nature, against the winds and all of that," he said. The hope is that the trip can also help raise awareness about Bolivia's valuable indigenous culture, and promote an intercultural exchange between these isolated communities and the citizens of the country's urban hubs like La Paz. Environmental concerns will also be at the forefront as the Winay Marka sails over these waters, which lie over 3,800 metres above sea level. The project is hoping to educate locals about the negative effects of polluting the great waters of Lake Titicaca, which span over 8,000 square kilometres.

ITN Source | September 9, 2006

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