Bolivia

This landlocked South American country is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. It has borders with Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, and Chile, the latter of which managed to defeat Bolivia in war in 1879 and removed its access to the sea. Unlike most other countries in Latin America, Bolivia has an indigenous majority, most being from the Quechua and the Aymará, with those of European descent making up 15 percent of the population of over 9 million (2007).

Many of Bolivia's indigenous people inherited traditions and customs from the Incas, with playing music, singing, and dancing being very important. Many musical instruments were made from wood or hollowed out llama bones. Some people in Bolivia still play the Inca game in which contestants flip pottery counters, similar to the game of Tiddlywinks. There is also another game called Picha in which players use dice. There are also two Inca board games called Taca-naco and Chuncara, in which dice are used, and as a result of the score achieved, colored beans or seeds are moved around the board. Spinning tops are still popular with many children, as is playing with dolls and making models.

The Spanish brought an introduction of Spanish musical instruments, especially the guitar, as well as many of their customs. Because of the geography of the country, although there was horse-riding, it was never on the same [Page 89]scale as in neighboring Argentina. For manufactured toys, the Spanish elite were, and indeed still are, the major market for goods made or imported into the country. Until 2006, they also controlled the government, and they still dominate economic life. Wealthy Bolivians are involved in following many of the same pursuits as people in the West—Wargaming, making model airplanes, trains, battlefield dioramas made from model kits, and playing elaborate board games. Chess, Backgammon and card games form an important method of relaxation. Soccer is the main recreational sport in the country, although because of the cheap cost of living, many foreign tourists have visited the country to hike, which has since become popular with the locals.

There also existed the Afro-Bolivians, many of whom, up until the 1952 revolution, lived in near-slavelike conditions. They brought with them percussion instruments, heavy rhythm beats, and the chanting that has come to symbolize saya music—now incorporated into many chants at soccer matches and the like. There is also a small Japanese population, mainly from Okinawa, and this has led to the introduction of Japanese games such as Go. Some youth clubs offer billiards and play music with juke boxes. Because of the poverty of the country, there is still little use of computer games.